Tragic Incident at Bukom Boxing Arena: Investigation Underway into Nigerian Boxer’s Death
By Prince Dornu-Leiku
Sports News | April 2, 2025 | 12:00
Reading Time: 4 minutes
Ghana’s boxing fraternity is in mourning following the untimely passing of Nigerian boxer Gabriel Oluwasegun Olanrewaju, who collapsed in the ring during a light heavyweight contest against Ghanaian fighter Jon Mbanugu at the Bukom Boxing Arena last Saturday.
The 40-year-old athlete’s road to the fight was already clouded with uncertainty.
Originally, Olanrewaju was scheduled to face Mbanugu at Bukom Park on Friday, but the fight was abruptly canceled due to contractual disputes. Frustrated and without payment, he and his coach, Diran Alamu, decided to return to Nigeria on Saturday morning.
Along with fellow Nigerian boxer Toheeb Kolajo and his coach, Olanrewaju boarded a bus bound for Lagos.
However, midway through the journey, he had a sudden change of heart. Disembarking at Aflao near the Togo border, he made his way back to Accra and accepted the revised fight terms.
With negotiations swiftly concluded, the match was rescheduled as part of the Ghana Professional Boxing League’s Fight Night 15.
Tragic Outcome
The bout took a devastating turn in the third round. Olanrewaju, who had been holding his own against Mbanugu, suddenly lost balance. He appeared disoriented, retreated unsteadily, and collapsed against the ropes—without receiving a decisive blow.
Sensing the seriousness of the situation, referee Richard Amevi immediately called for medical intervention. Ringside physician Dr. Edward Asante rushed in, swiftly removing Olanrewaju’s gum shield and administering emergency aid. Despite their efforts, they were unable to revive him.
He was quickly stretchered into an ambulance and transported to the nearby Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, where he was pronounced dead 30 minutes after arrival.
The Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA), which had sanctioned both the Friday and Saturday events, promptly notified the Korle Bu Police, the Minister for Youth and Recreation, Kofi Adams, and the Nigerian Boxing Board of Control (NBBoC).
In a statement released on Sunday, the GBA confirmed that Olanrewaju had submitted the necessary medical clearance before the fight, verifying his fitness to compete.
However, officials believe his death may have been caused by a sudden seizure, with an autopsy set to determine the exact cause.
Dr. Asante, still deeply shaken, told the Daily Graphic:
“It was shocking how he collapsed, especially since no punch was involved. It could have been cardiac arrest or an underlying medical condition that only his family or close associates would be aware of. We did everything we could, but sadly, we lost him.”
Expressing his condolences, the Minister for Youth and Recreation stated:
“Our hearts go out to the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control, the entire Nigerian boxing community, and the global sporting world over this irreplaceable loss.”
International Reactions and Safety Concerns
The tragedy has drawn global attention, with World Boxing Council (WBC) President Mauricio Sulaimán, the World Boxing Organization (WBO), and other influential figures in the sport extending their sympathies to Olanrewaju’s grieving wife and three children.
The incident has reignited discussions about the need for stricter health and safety protocols in professional boxing.
In Nigeria, the NBBoC, through President Dr. Rafiu Oladipo and Secretary General Oluremi Aboderin, confirmed that Olanrewaju had received medical clearance to fight.
However, concerns have been raised over why the fight proceeded a day after its initial cancellation.
A report by The PUNCH newspaper in Lagos claimed that the original fight was canceled due to Mbanugu exceeding the weight limit.
The report alleged that Olanrewaju was offered an additional $500 to proceed with the fight but declined. However, facing financial struggles back home, he later reconsidered and accepted the offer, hoping to secure some earnings before returning to Nigeria.
This version of events has been strongly denied by sources close to the promotion.
“The fight didn’t take place on Friday due to last-minute contractual disagreements, not weight or financial issues,” an insider told the Daily Graphic.
“We’ve seen fighters tragically lose their lives in the ring worldwide, but financial concerns should never overshadow the real tragedy.”
As the boxing world mourns this heartbreaking loss, attention now turns to the autopsy findings and further investigations into the circumstances surrounding Olanrewaju’s death.
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