“How Financial Struggles Led to Nigerian Boxer Olanrewaju’s Tragic Death in Ghana” – NBBofC

Nigerian boxer Segun ‘Success’ Olanrewaju tragically passed away in Accra, Ghana, on Saturday during a bout against Ghanaian fighter Jon Mbanugu. The Nigeria Boxing Board of Control (NBBofC) has revealed that Olanrewaju’s participation in the fight was unauthorized, as his original bout scheduled for Friday had been canceled after he was deemed overweight.

The 40-year-old former National and West African light-heavyweight champion was competing at Fight Night 15 of the Ghana Professional Boxing League at the Bukom Boxing Arena. Reports indicate that Olanrewaju was leading on points in the scheduled eight-round light-heavyweight contest when he suddenly lost consciousness. Eyewitnesses recounted the moment when Olanrewaju threw two weak punches at Mbanugu before the Ghanaian fighter countered with a right-hand strike to his face. Shortly after, the Nigerian boxer staggered backward, fell against the ropes, and collapsed. Fans and officials in the arena quickly realized the severity of the situation as Olanrewaju slumped on his side while the referee initiated a mandatory count. Moments later, he turned face down with his throat resting against one of the ropes.

His team members rushed into the ring, removed his gum shield, and attempted to resuscitate him as he appeared to gasp for breath. Emergency medical personnel on-site promptly transported him to the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

According to the NBBofC, Olanrewaju had originally secured approval to fight in Ghana on Friday. However, when he failed to make weight during Thursday’s weigh-in, the match was canceled. NBBofC Secretary-General, Remi Aboderin, explained that the organizers initially offered Olanrewaju an increased purse of an additional $500 if he agreed to fight at a higher weight class. However, he rejected the offer as inadequate, leading to the fight’s cancellation.

By Saturday morning, Olanrewaju and his team had already left Accra and were en route to Lagos via the Aflao border when he confided in his coach, Diran Alamu, about his financial struggles. He expressed concerns about returning home empty-handed, as he had left Nigeria without money and had significant debts to settle. Determined to earn something before returning home, he contacted the Ghanaian matchmakers to reconsider their previous offer. This time, he agreed to fight in exchange for the additional $500. The organizers quickly arranged a fight for Saturday night, but the NBBofC did not approve his participation in this new bout. Aboderin emphasized that this was a regulatory failure on the part of the Ghana Boxing Association (GBA), as Olanrewaju should not have been allowed to fight without the necessary authorization.

Olanrewaju’s trainer, Coach Babatunde Ojo, revealed that he had strongly advised the boxer against taking a fight on such short notice due to inadequate preparation. “He told me they gave him a fight last week, but I told him, ‘You are not training, and you want to go? You can’t go. Leave this fight for a better offer,’” Ojo recounted. Initially, Olanrewaju had informed Ojo that the fight was scheduled for April 1, but he later called back to say it had been moved up to March 29. Ojo insisted that if Olanrewaju was to fight, he should request that the organizers book flights so they could travel together. However, Olanrewaju later informed him that the organizers would only provide a car to take him to Ghana, a proposal that Ojo rejected. Ojo further disclosed that after receiving a release letter from the NBBofC, Olanrewaju did not consult him again. “I called him, and he told me he had been called again for a fight that night. I warned him, ‘Success, don’t you think this fight is too early?’ But he was determined. He knew I wouldn’t approve, which is why he didn’t tell me he was going. He was an adult, so I couldn’t stop him.”

Olanrewaju’s tragic death has raised concerns over boxer welfare and the enforcement of regulatory standards. Many within the boxing community argue that fighters must not be allowed to take fights under unsafe conditions, particularly without sufficient preparation or medical clearance. The NBBofC has vowed to strengthen its oversight of Nigerian boxers competing abroad to prevent similar incidents. Meanwhile, the Ghana Boxing Association is facing scrutiny over its decision to sanction a fight that ultimately cost a desperate fighter his life.