Ghana’s boxing fraternity has been left in shock following the sudden collapse of Nigerian boxer Gabriel Oluwasegun Olanrewaju during a fight on Saturday night at the Bukom Boxing Arena in Accra.
The 40-year-old pugilist was engaged in a heated undercard bout against Ghana’s John Mbanugu, known as “Power,” as part of the Ghana Professional Boxing League.
Midway through the third round of the scheduled eight-round contest, Olanrewaju unexpectedly dropped to the canvas, prompting immediate intervention from the referee and medical personnel.
Despite desperate attempts to resuscitate him at ringside, the Nigerian fighter remained unresponsive and was swiftly transported to Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.
While official medical reports are yet to be released, speculation is rife that he may have suffered a cardiac arrest.
Some unconfirmed reports have prematurely pronounced him dead, though an official statement from the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) is still awaited.
A widely circulated video of the fight shows both boxers fiercely exchanging blows until Olanrewaju suddenly staggered and collapsed—just 15 seconds before the end of the third round.
Initially, the bellman and timekeeper began a count, believing it was a knockdown, but the gravity of the situation soon became evident, prompting immediate medical attention.
Olanrewaju’s last recorded fight took place on December 24, 2024, against Idowu Raheed at the Campos Mini Stadium in Lagos. His latest bout in Accra was meant to bolster his career, but it has instead turned into a grim moment for the boxing community.
The Ghana Boxing Authority is expected to release an official statement regarding the boxer’s condition and what led to the tragic collapse. The incident has reignited concerns over the health and safety of fighters, with many calling for stringent medical screenings before bouts.
Stay tuned for further updates as the story unfolds.