By Ghazali Ibrahim
Tragedy struck the boxing world yesterday as Nigerian boxer Gabriel Oluwasegun Olanrewaju, also known as “Success,” passed away after collapsing during a match against Ghanaian boxer John Mbanugu at the Bukom Boxing Arena in Accra, Ghana.
According to eyewitnesses, Olanrewaju, 31, was leading the bout on points before suddenly stumbling and falling to the canvas in the third round.
Medical personnel immediately rushed to his aid, but unfortunately, their efforts to revive him were unsuccessful, and he was pronounced dead shortly after.
The cause of death is believed to be cardiac arrest, although an official autopsy has yet to be conducted.
The Nigerian Boxing Federation has announced plans to work with Ghanaian authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding Olanrewaju’s death.
Olanrewaju, a lightweight boxer from Lagos, Nigeria, had a promising career with 13 wins, 8 losses, and 2 draws in his 23 professional fights ¹. He was a respected figure in West African boxing circles, having held multiple regional titles during his career.
Tributes have poured in from colleagues, fans, and sports officials across Nigeria and Ghana, remembering Olanrewaju for his resilience, passion for the sport, and contributions to Nigerian boxing.
