Accra, Ghana—Nigerian light heavyweight boxer Gabriel Oluwasegun Olanrewaju tragically passed away after collapsing during a professional fight in Ghana on Saturday. The bout, part of the Ghana Professional Boxing League, saw the former national and West African champion lose consciousness in the third round against Ghanaian opponent Jon Mbanugu at the Bukom Boxing Arena.
Officials from the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) confirmed that Oluwasegun received immediate first aid before being rushed to Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital. Despite medical intervention, he was pronounced dead just 30 minutes after arrival. The circumstances surrounding his sudden collapse are under review, with concerns raised over the safety measures in place.
Reacting to the heartbreaking news, Remi Aboderin, General Secretary of the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control, described Oluwasegun as a “fearless ring warrior” whose passing has left the boxing community in mourning. “We are really devastated,” Aboderin told BBC Sport Africa. “This is not something we envisaged, but we will stand by the family during this time.”
Oluwasegun was a seasoned fighter with a professional record of 23 bouts, securing 13 victories and suffering eight defeats before his final match. He was widely respected for his resilience and dedication to the sport, representing Nigeria on multiple platforms throughout his career.
