The boxing community is reeling from the unexpected death of Gabriel Oluwasegun Olanrewaju, a Nigerian professional boxer, who passed away over the weekend in Ghana after a light heavyweight bout.

Match Overview

Olanrewaju faced Ghana’s Jon Mbangu in a match sanctioned by the Ghana Boxing Authority on Saturday. Coming into the fight, Olanrewaju held a record of 13 wins and 8 losses, while his opponent had a much more impressive record of 12 wins and just 1 loss.

The Incident

The incident unfolded during the third round of the match. Initially, Olanrewaju appeared nimble, effectively evading Mbangu’s punches. However, the situation took a tragic turn when, after navigating a series of jabs and cross punches, Olanrewaju executed a pair of uppercuts but suddenly began to sway and collapsed, hitting the ropes before falling onto the floor.

A distressing video that circulated on social media depicted the aftermath, with Olanrewaju lying motionless as the referee initiated a 10-count. It was clear by the count of four that he was in grave danger, prompting medical personnel to rush into the ring.

Medical Response and Aftermath

Despite immediate medical attention at the scene, Olanrewaju was rushed to a nearby hospital. Unfortunately, reports indicate that he succumbed about 30 minutes after arriving at the medical facility. Further investigations revealed that Olanrewaju had been deemed medically fit to compete prior to the match.

Statements and Concerns

The World Boxing Organization (WBO) expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and raised questions about the medical clearance process that Olanrewaju underwent. The organization released a statement, saying, “The WBO Family is deeply saddened by the passing of Nigerian boxer Gabriel Oluwasegun Olanrewaju. This heartbreaking incident underscores the urgent need for rigorous testing protocols to ensure the health and safety of our fighters.”