Africa-Press – Ghana. A widely circulated video on social media captured the moment he collapsed in the ring, prompting immediate concern from fans and officials.
Nigerian light-heavyweight boxer Gabriel Oluwasegun Olanrewaju collapsed and died during a bout against Ghanaian opponent Jonathan Mbanugu at the Bukom Boxing Arena in Accra on Saturday, March 29, 2025.
Olanrewaju, known in the boxing community as “Success,” was a former National and West African light-heavyweight champion.
The bout was part of Fight Night 15 of the Ghana Professional Boxing League. Reports indicate that Olanrewaju was leading on points before the incident occurred.
He suffered what appeared to be a cardiac arrest.
A widely circulated video on social media captured the moment he collapsed in the ring, prompting immediate concern from fans and officials.
He was taken to the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
The Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) confirmed the news of his death, stating that, after receiving first aid, he was rushed to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital where he was pronounced dead 30 minutes after arrival.
The general secretary of the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control, Remi Aboderin, described Oluwasegun as a “fearless” fighter who died a “ring warrior”.
“We are really devastated,” Aboderin told BBC Sport Africa.
“[This] is not something we envisaged. We will live up to our responsibility and make sure that we stand [by] the family.”
Oluwasegun had an official record of 23 fights, with 13 victories and eight defeats, before his bout with Mbanugu.
Olanrewaju’s boxing career began in 2019, and he quickly made a name for himself by securing both national and West African titles.
His professional record stood at 13 wins, 9 losses, and 2 draws, with 12 of his victories coming by knockout.
This tragic event has cast a somber mood over the boxing communities in both Nigeria and Ghana, highlighting the inherent risks associated with the sport.
Fans and fellow athletes have taken to social media to pay tribute to Olanrewaju, remembering him for his dedication, sportsmanship, and contributions to boxing in West Africa.
The GBA has announced plans to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding Olanrewaju’s death to ensure all safety protocols were adhered to during the bout.
This incident serves as a poignant reminder of the critical importance of stringent health and safety measures in combat sports.
The entire boxing world mourns the loss of Gabriel “Success” Olanrewaju, whose legacy will be remembered in the annals of African boxing history.
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