Ernest 'Bahubali' Akushey: Ghanaian Boxer Dies Days After Brutal Defeat
- The Ghanaian boxing community has been thrown into mourning after the sudden passing of Ernest Akushey
- His passing has left fans in shock, sparked renewed debate about the state of boxing in Ghana, and drawn an outpouring of tributes
- Akushey had risen as one of Ghana’s most thrilling prospects in the super middleweight and cruiserweight divisions
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Ghana’s boxing fraternity has been hit with a devastating tragedy after the tragic death of boxer Ernest Akushey, popularly known as Bahubali.
The 32-year-old fighter reportedly passed away on the morning of Tuesday, September 23, 2025.
Source: Getty Images
His untimely death comes barely two weeks after enduring heavy punches in a bout at the Bukom Boxing Arena.
Akushey’s final fight took place on Saturday, September 13, when he faced rising contender Jacob Dickson in a highly anticipated super middleweight showdown.
Unfortunately, the match turned into a one-sided contest, with Dickson dominating from the opening rounds before sealing victory via an eighth-round technical knockout (TKO).
Widely circulated videos of the fight showed Akushey struggling under relentless pressure, sparking sympathy from fans even before news of his passing broke.
Watch highlights of the bout below:
Social media was filled with grief after his passing, with some fans blaming the poor state of boxing conditions in Ghana for his death.
@kennedyansah_ shared:
"Oh slow… rest well champ."
@Lechiboroni wrote:
"I guess these boxers are not well paid and taken good care of 😭🤦🏿 that’s really sad. RIP 🪦"
@stnrboy254 wrote:
"Internal bleeding might be the main factor to this incident. Our Ghana Boxing Authority & Sports Ministry should jubilate for their good deeds. Corruption & Cruelty will continue to sink Ghana's development. Pain me waa!😭😭RIP Bahubali💔😭"
@balde_fcb2 added:
"Awww such a nice soul😭🥹RIP"
Source: Getty Images
According to Citi Sports, Akushey fell ill on Monday, September 22, after complaining of undisclosed symptoms that worsened overnight.
He was pronounced dead around 2 a.m. the following morning. Sources close to the family suspect the cause may be linked to internal injuries sustained during the Dickson fight, though an official autopsy is yet to be released.
Akushey, who rose through the ranks at the famed Wadada Gym in James Town, was once regarded as a bright prospect with an undefeated 6-0-0 record, per 3 News.
His fierce, crowd-pleasing style of fighting earned him the nickname Bahubali, after the heroic warrior in the Indian blockbuster film.
His death has triggered widespread grief and sorrow across social media, as Ghanaians reflect on his career and how he kept the sport exciting despite recent setbacks.
Born in Chorkor, a suburb of Ghana’s capital city, Accra, Akushey competed in both the super middleweight and light heavyweight divisions depending on the bout and opponent.
Known for his warrior spirit and his ability to rally the crowd, he was a beloved figure in his local community and the wider Ghanaian boxing scene.
Akushey's death comes six months after Nigerian boxer Gabriel Oluwasegun Olanrewaju collapsed and died during a bout at the Bukom Boxing Arena.
Olanrewaju was facing Accra-born John Mbanugu, nicknamed "Power," in an undercard bout of Ghana's Professional Boxing League when the tragic incident occurred at the Bukom Boxing Arena.
Nicknamed Success, Olanrewaju suddenly fell to the canvas mid-fight, prompting the referee to immediately call for medical assistance.
Despite urgent attempts to revive him, the 40-year-old boxer was pronounced dead, with reports suggesting he may have suffered cardiac arrest.
The Ghana Boxing Authority later released the details of the sudden passing of the Nigerian boxer.
Prize Nigerian boxer would have earned before death
YEN.com.gh also reported that more details surrounding the unfortunate death of Gabriel Olanrewaju have emerged since his sad demise.
While an autopsy to confirm his exact cause of death is yet to emerge, details of the prize money he would have earned have surfaced.
Source: YEN.com.gh
