Nigerian boxer Gabriel Oluwasegun Olanrewaju (13-8-2, 12 KOs) sadly died from his injuries after collapsing during his fight with Jon Mbanugu in Ghana on Friday, March 28, 2025.
Scheduled for eight-rounds, the light-heavyweight contest was fought in close quarters, with both opponents throwing equally, when the boxer nicknamed ‘Success’ just suddenly collapsed with around 15 seconds left in the third round, even though he was smiling moments earlier and winding up his punches in style.
There was no knockout blow, Oluwasegun simply just staggered backwards and fell into the bottom ropes were he was held up awkwardly. The referee initially began to count for a knockdown, but after he reached the count of four, he realised something wasn’t right and immediately called for medical assistance, which was administered in the ring.
Officials hurriedly checked his airways, then he was rushed to hospital very soon after.
The Ghana Boxing Authority confirmed the news of death, stating that, after receiving first aid, he was taken to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital where he was pronounced dead just 30 minutes after arrival.
The general secretary of the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control, Remi Aboderin, described Oluwasegun as a “fearless” fighter who died a “ring warrior”.
“We are really devastated,” Aboderin told BBC Sport Africa. “[This] is not something we envisaged. We will live up to our responsibility and make sure that we stand [by] the family.”
The 31-year-old from Lagos was born on December 8, 1993. He turned pro in July 2019 and won his first three fights.
He jumped up in levels to challenge Olanrewaju Durodola for the African cruiserweight title in just his fourth contest, but was unable to come out of his corner for round five against a world-class boxer known as ‘God’s Power’. Durodola was a world title contender who had fought against the likes of Mairis Briedis and Richard Riakporhe, and currently has 50 victories, with 44 KOs.
Oluwasegun came back strongly to win his next six contests by KO, and won the Nigerian light-heavyweight championship on Christmas Eve 2021. He later became a West African light-heavyweight champion in September 2023, which would become his last ever professional victory.
He lost all four fights in 2024, and his March 28 bout with Jon Mbanugu was part of the Ghana Professional Boxing League at the Bukom Boxing Arena in Accra.
