Sports Recorder | By Solomon OKPO
The sporting community has been thrown into mourning following the tragic death of Nigerian boxer Gabriel Oluwasegun Olanrewaju, who collapsed and died during a professional boxing match at the Bukom Boxing Arena in Accra, Ghana, on Saturday, March 29, 2025.
Olanrewaju, 40, was competing in an undercard bout of Ghana’s Professional Boxing League against Ghanaian fighter John Mbagunu, popularly known as “Power,” when the unfortunate incident occurred.
During the match, Olanrewaju suddenly fell to the canvas, leading to immediate intervention by the referee, who swiftly called for medical assistance. Initially, the timekeeper mistook the fall for a routine knockdown, but it soon became evident that the situation was critical. Despite the frantic efforts of medical personnel to resuscitate him, he was later pronounced dead. Reports suggest that he may have suffered a cardiac arrest.
Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Olanrewaju had an extensive professional boxing career with 23 fights to his name. According to BoxRec records, he secured 13 victories, with 12 of them coming by knockout. However, he had been facing difficulties in recent years, losing four consecutive bouts before this tragic encounter.
A video of the fight that has since gone viral captured the intense exchange of punches between the two fighters before Olanrewaju staggered, collapsed, and hit his head on the ring floor.
His sudden death has sent shockwaves through the boxing community, with fans, fellow athletes, and sports officials expressing their condolences. Tributes continue to pour in for the Nigerian boxer, whose dedication and passion for the sport defined his career.
