Who was Gabriel Oluwasegun Olanrewaju? All about the Nigerian boxing champion who collapsed and died mid-fight

Boxing is widely considered one of the more dangerous sports out there. While the sport is highly physical and comes with an in-built risk of injury, the more severe outcomes (like coma and death) are rare, although every once in a while tragedy does strike in the ring.

Over this past weekend on March 29, Nigerian boxer Gabriel Oluwasegun Olanrewaju passed away after collapsing during an eight-round bout against Jon Mbanugu in Ghana. In an interview with BBC South Africa, Nigeria Boxing Board of Control’s Remi Aboderin commented on the sport and the family's harrowing loss.

"We are really devastated. [This] is not something we envisaged. We will live up to our responsibility and make sure that we stand [by] the family."

He was taken to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital after being given first aid and CPR, where he was declared dead 30 minutes later, according to the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA), which confirmed the death.

Gabriel was described as a true warrior willing to rise to any challenge. The Ghana Boxing Authority has pledged to do their due diligence to investigate Olanrewaju's death, as well as the safety measures followed on the night in question.

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The life and death of Gabriel Oluwasegun Olanrewaju

Gabriel Oluwasegun Olanrewaju hailed from Nigeria and began his professional boxing career in 2019. The pugilist, also known as “Success” within the community, competed in the light heavyweight weight class and gained national and West African championship titles over the span of his career. Gabriel won all but one of his fights in the most exciting fashion, by knockout, and his professional record stands at 13-8.

On the unfortunate night in question, Olanrewaju was facing off against Jonathan Mbanugu of Ghana at the Bukom Boxing Arena. During the second round of the fight, Gabriel fell over backward into the ropes and appeared to lose consciousness at a point where reports claim he was ahead in points in the fight. The referee took swift action, calling for the ringside doctor and paramedics to assist the boxer and revive him immediately.

The paramedics arrived and took Olanrewaju to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, according to word from the Ghana Boxing Authority, and despite efforts to resuscitate the 40-year-old athlete, he was pronounced dead soon after. Local reports claim that he suffered a cardiac arrest in the ring. The official confirmation for the same is awaited.

The talented Nigerian boxer's death has shocked and saddened the Ghanaian boxing community, as well as sports fans throughout Africa. More information is expected to be revealed as investigations into the tragic event continue.