Tragic fight at Bukom Boxing Arena: Probe launched into Nigerian boxer’s death

Ghana’s boxing community has been left in shock following the tragic death of Nigerian boxer Gabriel Oluwasegun Olanrewaju, who collapsed in the ring during a light heavyweight contest against Ghana’s Jon Mbanugu at the Bukom Boxing Arena last Saturday.

The 40-year-old fighter’s journey to the ring had already been fraught with uncertainty.

Initially scheduled to face Mbanugu at Bukom Park on Friday, the fight was cancelled at the last minute due to contractual disagreements. Disappointed and unpaid, Olanrewaju and his coach, Diran Alamu, decided to return to Nigeria on Saturday morning.

Accompanied by fellow Nigerian boxer Toheeb Kolajo and his coach, they boarded a bus from Accra to Lagos.

However, midway through the journey, Olanrewaju had a dramatic change of heart. He disembarked at Aflao, near the Togo border, and returned to Accra, agreeing to the revised fight terms.

The organisers quickly finalised negotiations, setting up the bout as part of the Ghana Professional Boxing League’s Fight Night 15.

Tragic end

However, tragedy struck in the third round. Olanrewaju, who had matched Mbanugu blow for blow, suddenly lost his balance, appearing disoriented and retreating unsteadily before collapsing against the ropes — crucially, there was no decisive blow from his opponent. Recognising the gravity of the situation, referee Richard Amevi urgently called for medical assistance, prompting ringside physician Dr Edward Asante to rush into the ring to stabilise the stricken boxer. Despite removing Olanrewaju’s gum shield and administering emergency care, the medical team was unable to revive him.

He was swiftly 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 sanctioned both the Friday and Saturday events, swiftly informed the Korle Bu Police, the Minister for Youth and Recreation, Kofi Adams, and the Nigerian Boxing Board of Control (NBBoC).

In a solemn press release last Sunday, the GBA confirmed that Olanrewaju had submitted a formal medical clearance before the bout, certifying him fit to fight.

However, officials have suggested that his death may have resulted from a sudden seizure, with a scheduled autopsy expected to provide clarity.

Dr Asante, still shaken by the incident, told the Daily Graphic: "It was shocking how he collapsed, as there was no punch involved.

It could have been a cardiac arrest or an underlying medical condition that only his family or close associates would know about.

We did our best, but tragically, we lost him."

The minister extended his condolences, stating, "We deeply sympathise with the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control, the entire Nigerian boxing community, and the global sporting fraternity over this irreplaceable loss."

The tragedy has sparked international concern, with WBC President Mauricio Sulaimán, the WBO, and other prominent boxing figures expressing condolences to Olanrewaju’s bereaved family—his wife and three children.

Many in the boxing world have reiterated the urgent need for stricter health and safety measures to protect fighters.

In Nigeria, the NBBoC, through President Dr Rafiu Oladipo and Secretary General Oluremi Aboderin, has acknowledged issuing Olanrewaju’s clearance for the fight.

However, questions have been raised about why the bout was allowed to proceed a day after the originally scheduled date.

A report by The PUNCH newspaper in Lagos suggests that the initial fight fell through due to Olanrewaju’s opponent being overweight.

The report claimed he was offered an additional $500 to proceed with the bout but declined.

However, facing mounting debts back home, Olanrewaju allegedly reconsidered, accepting the offer to fight last Saturday in the hopes of earning some money before returning to Nigeria.

This version of the events has been strongly refuted by sources close to the promotion.

“The fight didn’t happen on Friday because of last-minute contractual issues, not overweight or money,” a reliable insider told the Daily Graphic.

“We’ve seen fighters tragically pass away in the ring worldwide, but financial concerns are never the focus in such moments.”

As the boxing world mourns, all eyes are on the autopsy results and further investigations into the circumstances surrounding this heartbreaking loss.