Former National and West African light-heavyweight champion, Segun ‘Success’ Olanrewaju, has died after collapsing during a boxing match in Ghana on Saturday.
Olanrewaju lost consciousness while facing Ghanaian boxer Jon Mbanugu at Fight Night 15 of the Ghana Professional Boxing League at Bukom Boxing Arena.
It was gathered that he was reportedly leading on points before the tragic incident occurred..
The boxing community has been thrown into mourning following his sudden death.
Olanrewaju, a respected figure in Nigerian boxing, previously held both National and West African light-heavyweight titles.
His contributions to the sport in Nigeria and across West Africa have been widely acknowledged, with colleagues and fans paying tribute to his legacy.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) has given its account of Olantewaju’s demise.
In a statement by its Director of Communication, Mohammed Amin Lamptey, the GBA said it “can officially confirm the death of a Nigerian boxer by the name Gabriel Oluwasegun Olanrewaju, who passed away at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.
“The Nigerian Gabriel Oluwsegun Olanrewaju took on his Ghanaian opponent, Jon Mbanugu, in a light heavyweight international contest over eight rounds on the Imax Boxing Promotions fights bill for the ongoing Bel 7star energy drink professional boxing league for week 15.
“Oluwasegun seemed to have dominated the fight from round one but unfortunately met his untimely exit from the ring in round 3 (2 minutes 46 seconds).
“Gabriel Oluwasegun, some few seconds to end round 3, stepped back during the fight and leaned on the ropes with his back without any punch whatsoever from his opponent Jon Mbanugu.
“The referee, Richard Amevi, sensing danger, waved his hand for the end of the fight, and immediately invited the ringside physician with the support of paramedics from the national ambulance service to attend to the boxer and help resuscitate him.
*After applying the first-aid resuscitating process, the boxer was immediately transported to the Korlebu Teaching Hospital, where he was pronounced dead 30 minutes after arrival.
“The GBA president, Abraham Kotei Neequaye, who was close to the scene at the ring side and at the hospital, immediately started the processes of preserving the boxer’s body after he was pronounced dead, whilst speaking to the General Secretary of Nigeria Boxing Board of Control(NBBC),Remi Abodorin on the situation.
“The GBA president reported the incident to the Korle Bu police station, and this morning helped to move the body to the main mortuary for preservation.
“The Minister for Sports and Recreation, Hon Kofi Iddie Adams, was formally informed by the GBA president of the unfortunate incident.
“Gabriel Oluwasegun Olanrewaju was declared medically fit by the Nigeria Boxing Board Control(NBBC)with his certified certificate as a professional boxer before the GBA sanctioned and approved the international contest.
“He entered the ring with an official record of 23 fights, 8 defeats,13 victories, and 12 of the victories came by way of knockouts.
“The Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) is seriously mourning the demise of a potential world beater who was dictating a beautiful fight and all of a sudden visited the canvas and fell into what has been described as an induced coma even though an official cause of death is yet to be made available after autopsy.
“The GBA wishes to extend its condolences to the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control (NBBC) and all boxing enthusiasts in Ghana and across the globe. There are several deaths recorded in the ring over the years, we pray to the Lord to help protect all boxers during fights. Death is indeed unknown and you never know where it will catch up with you.
“May the soul of Gabriel Oluwasengu and all other boxers who died in similar circumstances rest in perfect peace.”
)
