Tragedy struck in the boxing world as Nigerian boxer Segun Olanrewaju, also known as “Success”, died after slumping during a match in Ghana.
The incident occurred on Saturday at the Fight Night 15 of the Ghana Professional Boxing League at Bukom Boxing Arena, Accra.
According to Remi Aboderin, secretary-general of the Nigerian Boxing Board of Control (NBB of C), Olanrewaju, 40, was fighting Jon Mbanugu, a Ghanaian, in a light-heavyweight bout when he suddenly collapsed in the third round.
The referee immediately stopped the match, and medical aid was rushed into the ring.
Despite efforts to save him, Olanrewaju was pronounced dead at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital. The cause of his collapse is still unknown, as he was not punched or near his opponent at the time of the incident.
Olanrewaju was a former West African and national light-heavyweight champion with a record of 13 wins, eight losses, and three draws in 24 bouts.
His death comes as a shock to the boxing community, which is still reeling from the loss of another Nigerian boxer, Chukwuemeka Igboanugo, who died in 2022 after suffering a technical knockout during a bout at the National Sports Festival in Delta.