President of the Nigerian Boxing Board of Control Fires at GBA Over Boxer’s Death in Accra
- Nigerian boxer Segun Olanrewaju passed away after collapsing during a fight at the Bukom Boxing Arena in Accra
- Dr. Rafiu Oladipo, President of the Nigerian Boxing Board of Control, questioned why the fight took place on Saturday
- Olanrewaju’s tragic death has led to calls for greater accountability in the sport and improved safety standards
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The African boxing sector was struck with sadness after the untimely death of Nigerian boxer Segun Olanrewaju, who tragically passed away following a collapse in the ring during a bout at the Bukom Boxing Arena in Accra on Saturday night, March 29, 2025.
Olanrewaju was facing Accra-born pugilist John Mbanugu, known as “Power” when the devastating incident occurred.
His death has raised serious questions regarding the circumstances leading up to the fight, including issues with his sanctioning, health, and the role of the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) which confirmed the Nigerian fighter's demise on Sunday.
Source: Twitter
The fight and the collapse
Olanrewaju was in the ring against Mbanugu in a highly anticipated match. During the fight, the 40-year-old Nigerian boxer suddenly collapsed, and despite efforts to revive him, he was later confirmed dead, a sad occurrence that reminds fans of similar regretful incidents in the past.
The loss was not only a personal tragedy for his family, friends, and fans but also puts Ghanaian boxing in a bad light, with the GBA being bombarded with questions about safety protocols and the responsibility to ensure the welfare of fighters.
Why the fight took place on Saturday
Dr. Rafiu Oladipo, the President of the Nigerian Boxing Board of Control (NBBC), has raised serious concerns about the circumstances surrounding the fight. According to Oladipo, Olanrewaju was only officially sanctioned to fight on Friday, March 28, 2025.
Therefore, he questions why the Ghana Boxing Authority allowed the fight to proceed on Saturday, March 29, considering that the boxer had not been cleared for competition that day.
In his statement to Sporty FM in Accra, Dr. Oladipo expressed his disbelief that the GBA allowed the fight to take place, despite the fact that the boxer was not sanctioned by Nigerian boxing authorities to compete the following day.
The lack of proper clearance raises troubling questions about the standards followed by the Ghana Boxing Authority in overseeing the safety of boxers, particularly in light of the tragic events that unfolded.
''Segun Olanrewaju, who died after collapsing in the ring, was not sanctioned to fight on Saturday. He was to fight on Friday, March 29, 2025 so why should the GBA allow the match to happen on Saturday. The permission letter we gave him was to fight on Friday. He was a very active boxer, and last fought in December 2024. He was also in a good health condition.'' Rafiu Oladipo said.
The disagreement with organisers
Adding complexity to the situation, Olanrewaju and his coach had reportedly decided against participating in the match prior to the fight.
The fact that Olanrewaju and his coach chose not to participate due to these arrangements further underlines the confusion and frustration surrounding the circumstances of his death.
If indeed there was a lack of agreement between Olanrewaju and the organisers, questions must be asked about why the fight was still allowed to take place and why the boxer was put in such a dangerous position.
While boxing is an entertaining sport, it is also one of the most menacing games with several deaths of boxers during bouts recorded in history.
Source: Twitter
Previous in-ring tragedies
Historically, boxing has witnessed tragedies in the ring, which highlights the dangers involved in the sport.
For instance, in December 2022, Nigerian boxer Chucks Igboarugo collapsed and died following a knockout loss at the National Sports Festival in Asaba, Nigeria.
Also, in 2016, South African boxer Mzonke Fana lost consciousness after a bout in Accra and required immediate medical attention.
In light of these incidents, boxing authorities have continuously highlighted the importance of rigorous medical screenings, the implementation of stringent safety standards during matches, and the presence of advanced medical personnel ringside. All of these will help to safeguard athletes and uphold the integrity of the sport.
Olanrewaju's heated argument with match organisers
YEN.com.gh earlier reported about the alleged financial disagreement the late Nigerian boxer had with the fight organisers ahead of the match against John Mbanugu on Saturday at the Bukom Arena.
Nomso Obiajuru was a contributing writer in this article
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Proofreading by Samuel Gitonga, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
Gariba Raubil (Sports Editor) Gariba Raubil is a skilled content writer and journalist with over 14 years of experience in sports journalism. He is a CAF and FIFA-accredited reporter and has been a member of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) since 2020. He has covered several international tournaments including two All Africa Games in 2015 and 2023. He also reported on the 2017 CAF Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon and the 2018 Women’s AFCON. Email: gariba.raubil@yen.com.gh
Samuel Gitonga (Copy editor) Samuel Gitonga is a Copy Editor at YEN.com.gh. He holds a Bachelor of Broadcast Journalism Degree from the Multimedia University of Kenya. He has over 7 years’ experience in the digital journalism industry. He started out his career at the Kenya News Agency and proceeded to work for several reputable media outlets in Nairobi.
