The 40-year-old reportedly lost consciousness in the third round and was quick to receive aid before immediately being rushed to the nearest hospital
Nigerian boxing star Gabriel Oluwasegun Olanrewaju has tragically passed away after the fighter collapsed mid-way through a bout in Ghana.
Oluwasegun – a former national and West African champion at light-heavyweight – took on Jon Mbanugu (12-1-1) in an eight-round clash at the Bukom Boxing Arena in Accra on Friday.
The Nigerian fighter – who held a professional record of 13-8-1 – reportedly lost consciousness in the third round. Referee Richard Amevi was quick to step and and stop the fight – with ringside physician and EMS immediately rushing in to administer aid, including CPR. Oluwasegun was then rushed to the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.
Unfortunately, just 30 minutes after his arrival, he was pronounced dead. Local reports state that the Nigerian fighter was just 40-years-old. A statement from the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) read: “Oluwasegun was declared medically fit by the Nigeria Boxing Board Control with his certification as a professional boxer before the GBA sanctioned and approved the international contest.
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“Oluwasegun, a few seconds before the end of round three, stepped back during the fight and leaned on the ropes with his back without any punch whatsoever from his opponent. 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 to help resuscitate him.
“The GBA President reported the incident to the Korle Bu Police Station. The Minister for Sports and Recreation, Mr Kofi Iddie Adams, was formally informed by the GBA President of the unfortunate incident.”
The general secretary of the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control, Remi Aboderin, told the BBC: “We are really devastated. [This] is not something we envisaged. We will live up to our responsibility and make sure that we stand [by] the family.”
According to BoxRec, Olanrewaju made his professional debut back in 2019. The 6ft 1in emerged victorious in his first three fights before suffering a defeat to the 2008 Olympian Olanrewaju Durodola in an African Boxing Union African cruiserweight title fight. The majority of his bouts took place in Nigeria and Russia, except his final outing which was held in Ghana.
Following the defeat, Olanrewaju won his next six fights, including a stoppage win over David Cosmos for the Nigerian Boxing Board of Control Nigerian light heavyweight belt in 2021 before being knocked out by Giorgi Kushitashvili. He endured a mixed career from then on in, trading various wins and losses before claiming the West African Boxing Union (WABU) light-heavyweight title with a knockout win over Simon Olayinka two years ago. He then suffered defeats in his next five fights. The win over Olayinka would be Olanrewaju’s last inside the ring.
