Nigerian Boxing Board of Control (NBBC) has strongly condemned the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) following the tragic death of Nigerian boxer Gabriel Oluwasegun Olanrewaju.
Olanrewaju, popularly known as “Success,” fought against Ghanaian boxer John Mbanugu in a match that ended in tragedy.
Initially, the fight was set for Friday, March 28, but was canceled after weigh-ins showed that Olanrewaju did not meet the required weight class.
However, in a last-minute decision, the match was rescheduled for Saturday night—a move that ultimately led to his death.
During the third round, Olanrewaju suddenly became unsteady, hit the ropes, and collapsed.
Reports indicate that medical staff at the venue responded quickly and rushed him to Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Nigeria Boxing Board blames Ghana for boxer’s death
Shedding more light on the circumstances surrounding the fight, NBBC secretary Remi Aboderin confirmed that the 40-year-old had initially received approval to compete on March 28 but was forced to withdraw due to weight discrepancies.
“Segun got our approval to fight in Ghana, a fight that was proposed to take place on a Friday.
"Unfortunately, they did weigh-in on Thursday, and he was found to be overweight, and they told him the person he was to fight was not his weight,” Aboderin explained, as quoted by Nigerian outlet PUNCH.This was more than just a setback in his boxing career—it was a financial struggle.
Olanrewaju was already in debt and had little money left when he arrived in Ghana. After his scheduled fight was canceled, he and his team decided to return to Lagos on Saturday morning.
Nigerian Boxer, Gabriel Olanrewaju has passed on during a match against a Ghanaian opponent.
— Africa Facts Zone (@AfricaFactsZone) March 30, 2025
He is a former National and West African Light Heavyweight Champion. pic.twitter.com/UHPuZyixGI
However, upon reaching the Aflao border, he hesitated. The thought of going home empty-handed was unbearable. Desperate for an opportunity, he reached out to the Ghanaian matchmakers, asking if there were any fights available.
Their response was swift—there was an opening that same night. If he accepted the previously rejected $500 purse increase, the fight could go ahead.
Even though the Nigerian Boxing Board of Control (NBBC) had not approved this arrangement, Olanrewaju made the difficult choice to turn back, driven more by financial hardship than the pursuit of victory.
GBA’s oversight questioned
Aboderin squarely placed blame on the GBA, arguing that the Ghanaian authorities should have conducted proper due diligence before allowing him to fight.
Beyond the regulatory lapse, this tragedy highlights a broader concern—the exploitation of struggling fighters.Olanrewaju was not just competing; he was fighting for survival, a reality that cost him everything.