The Ghana Boxing Authority has officially announced the tragic passing of Nigerian boxer Gabriel Oluwasegun Olanrewaju who sadly lost his life during a boxing bout in Accra in the early hours of Sunday morning.
The boxer, who was confirmed medically fit before the fight, collapsed and died in the third round of his fight with Ghanaian pugilist John Mbanugu.
In a statement released by the Ghana Boxing Authority hours after the fight, it was confirmed Olanrewaju had passed on after efforts to revive him at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital failed.
The GBA also released the details of how things unfolded on a sorrowful night at the Bukom Boxing Arena.
Details below
According to the GBA, the Nigerian fighter seemed to have dominated the fight from round one but unfortunately met his untimely exit in round three after 2 minutes 46 seconds.
The Nigerian fighter with few seconds to end the round stepped back and leaned to the ropes with his back without any punch whatsoever.
Richard Richard Amevi quickly waved his hand to end the fight, signalling danger as the boxer fell unconscious. A ringside physician alongside paramedics rushed to resuscitate the boxer before calling on an ambulance for him to be rushed to the hospital.
Olanrewaju was rushed to the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, where he was pronounced dead after 30 minutes.
The Ghana Boxing Authority has liaised with the Nigerian Boxing Board of Control to arrange for his transportation back home.
Eyewitness share details of olanrewaju’s death
Boxing enthusiast Al-Hadar Osman, who was at the Bukom Boxing Arena, shared details of what really transpired.
Olanrewaju was facing Accra-born John Mbanugu, nicknamed “Power,” in an undercard bout of Ghana’s Professional Boxing League when the tragic incident occurred at the Bukom Boxing Arena.
Nicknamed Success, Olanrewaju suddenly fell to the canvas mid-fight, prompting the referee to immediately call for medical assistance. Despite urgent attempts to revive him, the 40-year-old boxer was pronounced dead, with reports suggesting he may have suffered cardiac arrest.
Nigerian boxer, Gabriel Oluwasegun Olanrewagu has tragically passed away after suffering a fatal seizure, during a boxing match against Ghana’s John Mbanugu, at the Bukom Boxing Arena last night. pic.twitter.com/CZes74L8PS
— SIKAOFFICIAL🦍 (@SIKAOFFICIAL1) March 30, 2025
