Nigerian Boxer Dies Fighting at Bukom Boxing Arena

Nigerian light-heavyweight boxer, Gabriel Oluwaseun Olanrewaju, popularly known as “Success,” has died after collapsing during a match against Ghanaian boxer Jonathan Mbanugu at the Bukom Boxing Arena in Accra.

The tragic incident happened on Saturday, March 29, during the Bel 7 Star Professional Boxing League fight night. Mbanugu, who has both Ghanaian and Nigerian roots, was Olanrewaju’s opponent in the scheduled eight-round bout.

The fight had barely reached the end of the third round when Olanrewaju suddenly collapsed. After exchanging punches, Mbanugu landed a right hand to the Nigerian’s face. Moments later, Olanrewaju stepped back, leaned on the ropes, and fell to the canvas, showing signs of serious distress.

The referee immediately stopped the fight and called in medical staff. Olanrewaju’s team rushed into the ring and tried to revive him before the paramedics took him to the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital. Sadly, he was pronounced dead shortly after.

Confirming the tragic incident, The Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) announced the death in an official statement. According to the GBA, Olanrewaju had received full medical clearance from the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control before the fight.

“Oluwasegun was declared medically fit before the GBA sanctioned and approved the contest,” the statement said. It also explained that the referee noticed Olanrewaju leaning back on the ropes without receiving any punch at that moment and quickly called for medical help.

Olanrewaju was a 40-year-old professional boxer from Lagos, Nigeria. He began his career in 2019 and had a total of 24 fights, winning 13, losing 8, and drawing 3. Twelve of his victories came by knockout. Unfortunately, before this final fight, he was on a four-match losing streak.

The GBA president, Abraham Kotei Neequaye, reported the incident to both the Nigerian Boxing Board and the Korle Bu Police Station. He also informed Ghana’s Minister for Sports, Kofi Iddie Adams.

The boxing world is mourning the loss of a fighter who, despite his struggles in the ring, never gave up on his passion.