The Nigerian Boxing Commission (NBBOFC) said boxer Segun “successfully” Olanrewaju, who died tragically in Accra, Ghana, without authorization to participate in the match that led to his death.
Segun Olanrewaju decided to fight on Saturday after the initial fight on Friday was cancelled due to overweight.
The 40-year-old former national and West African lightweight champion collapsed during a fight against Ghana boxer Jon Mbanugu on Saturday at the 15th Fight Night of the Ghana Professional Boxing League.
Before the unfortunate incident, Olanrewaju scored against Mbanugu in the scheduled eight-round lightweight matches, who was impressive with 12 wins, one loss and a draw, all of his wins were beaten through knockouts.
As the round progressed, it was obviously a serious problem as Olanrewaju had just sent two weak punches and then Mbanugu knocked back with a powerful right hand. After a brief exchange, Olanrewaju staggered backwards and fell on the rope, attracting immediate attention from officials and fans.
His team rushed into the ring to assist him, lifted him onto the canvas, removed his gum shield, trying to recover him as he struggled to breathe. He was quickly taken to Korle BU Teaching Hospital by an emergency medical team, and he was sadly pronounced dead.
NBBOFC Secretary General Remi Aboderin told Punch that although Olanrewaju initially approved the fight, complications occur when it was considered overweight during the weighing period on Thursday. After canceling the cancellation, Olanrewaju chose to fight on Saturday in the hope of making money to repay debts.
Aboderin explained that Olanrewaju’s decision to join the battle stems from financial pressure. He expressed concerns about contacting Ghanaians after returning home empty-handed. Although the matchmaker provided him with a fight on Saturday, Nigerian boxing officials disapproved of the arrangement, highlighting the poor communication between the Ghana Boxing Bureau (GBA) and the Nigerian board of directors.
Babatunde Ojo, the coach who trained Olanrewaju, expressed concerns about the short notice of the battle. He had advised Olanrewaju not to play such a fast game without being prepared enough. Ojo recalls that Olanrewaju initially thought the battle was scheduled for April, but found it had been moved to March 29, which caused Ojo’s alarm.
Despite Ojo’s warning, Olanrewaju finally decided to fight after receiving the release letter from NBBOFC. Coach Ojo pointed out the importance of adequate training time, stressing that the athlete needs at least a month to prepare for the fight, and he felt very sad about the outcome of this situation.
The GBA has officially confirmed Olanrewaju’s premature death and recognized the impact of this tragic incident on the boxing community. It promptly reminds people of the need for strict compliance with safety protocols and proper management of the health and well-being of warriors.
A statement signed by GBA Communications Director Mohammed Amin Lamptey and released on Sunday, March 30: “The Ghana Boxing Bureau (GBA) can formally confirm the death of a Nigerian boxer named Gabriel Oluwasseganisgon Orlandru Hero Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu
“Nigeria’s Gabriel Oluwsegun Olanrewaju played eight rounds in an IMAX boxing promotion in a lightweight international match, competing with his Ghanaian rival Jon Mbanugu, which competed with Bill Bill for the ongoing BEL 7STAR Energy Drince Professorshiping Foriversing Foartive League for Week 15.
“Oluwasegun seems to have dominated the battle from the first round, but unfortunately he encountered his inappropriate exit in round 3 (2 minutes and 46).
“Gabriel Oluwasegun, who, in seconds until the end of the third round, took a step back in the fight, his back resting on the rope while his opponent, Jon Mbanugu, had no fists.
“Referee Richard Amevi felt the danger, waved his hand before the fight and immediately invited the support of the National Ambulance Service paramedics, participated in the boxer and helped him resuscitate.
“After applying the first aid resuscitation process, the boxer was immediately taken to the Koleb Teaching Hospital, where he was pronounced dead 30 minutes after his arrival.”
The statement stressed that NBBOFC announced that Olanrewaju is medically suitable for rounds “He received a certificate of certification from professional boxers before the GBA approved and approved international competitions.”
GBA added, “He entered the ring with an official record of 23 battles, 8 losses, 13 wins and 12 wins.”
