Ex-African boxing champ Gabriel Oluwasegun Olanrewaju, 40, dies after collapsing mid-fight
Former African boxing champion Gabriel Oluwasegun Olanrewaju is dead after collapsing during a fight. (Getty Images)
(PeopleImages via Getty Images)
Nigerian boxer Gabriel Oluwasegun Olanrewaju, 40, tragically died after collapsing during a fight on Friday.
Olanrewaju (13-8-1, 12 KOs) was facing Jon Mbanugu (13-1-1, 12 KOs) in an eight-round light heavyweight bout at the Bukom Boxing Arena in Accra, Ghana.
In the third round, Olanrewaju suddenly collapsed backward onto the third of four ring ropes. The fall did not appear to be caused by a punch from Mbanugu.
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After a couple of seconds, Olanrewaju turned 180 degrees while lying on the ring rope and appeared to fall into unconsciousness, with his head facing the canvas, prompting referee Richard Amevi to wave off the count and signal for urgent medical assistance.
Olanrewaju was rushed to the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, where unsuccessful efforts were made to revive him and he was pronounced dead shortly after on Friday.
Olanrewaju began his professional boxing career in 2019. He won the Nigerian light heavyweight title in 2021 and also claimed the West African championship in 2023. Olanrewaju entered into his fight with Mbanugu off the back of four consecutive defeats.
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"We are really devastated," Nigeria Boxing Board of Control secretary Remi 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."
The Ghana Boxing Authority said it will investigate Olanrewaju's death as well as the safety measures in place around the contest itself.
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