The tragic death of Nigerian boxer Segun “Success” Olanrewaju, who collapsed and passed away during a fight in Accra, Ghana, has left the boxing community in shock. The Nigeria Boxing Board of Control (NBBofC) has now disclosed that Olanrewaju, a former National and West African light-heavyweight champion, did not have official approval for the fight that ultimately led to his death.
The 40-year-old boxer was participating in the Ghana Professional Boxing League’s Fight Night 15, held at the Bukom Boxing Arena on a Saturday night. Olanrewaju was leading his opponent, Ghanaian boxer Jon Mbanugu, on points when he unexpectedly collapsed after taking a right-hand punch. He staggered backward, fell against the ropes, and then slumped, prompting immediate medical attention from his team and the ring officials. Despite their attempts to resuscitate him, Olanrewaju was rushed to the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
According to the NBBofC, Olanrewaju’s death was not only a tragic loss but also the result of poor decision-making driven by his financial difficulties. Remi Aboderin, the Secretary-General of the NBBofC, revealed in an interview that the boxer had not been cleared for the fight after his disqualification from an earlier bout on Friday. Olanrewaju was found to be overweight during the weigh-in for his scheduled Friday match, and as a result, the fight was canceled. However, the fighter later sought another opportunity to fight on Saturday in order to earn the money he desperately needed to pay off his debts.
Olanrewaju had initially been cleared to fight on Friday, but when he failed to meet the weight requirement, the match was canceled. His opponent, Jon Mbanugu, was in a different weight class, and the organizers were unable to find a suitable arrangement. According to Aboderin, the Ghanaian promoters offered an additional $500 to entice Olanrewaju to accept the new terms, but he declined the offer, as no agreement could be reached.
After the Friday event, Olanrewaju was set to return to Nigeria. However, according to Aboderin, the boxer had second thoughts and changed his mind at the Aflao border as he was preparing to leave Ghana. “He told his coach, Diran Alamu, that returning home without money would be difficult,” Aboderin explained. “He had debts to pay, so he called the Ghanaians to ask if another fight was available.”
The Ghana Boxing Association (GBA) informed Olanrewaju that a match could be arranged for the following night, but this fight was not approved by the NBBofC. Aboderin made it clear that the Nigerian boxing body had not sanctioned the match, but the GBA had gone ahead to make the arrangements, which ultimately proved to be a fatal error. “We did not give him approval for it. This is where the Ghana Boxing Association made an error,” Aboderin added.
Despite this, Olanrewaju decided to go ahead with the fight on his own accord. According to reports, he was financially pressured and eager to earn the money that would help him resolve his mounting debts. Sadly, this decision proved to be fatal.
Olanrewaju’s trainer, Babatunde Ojo, expressed deep regret and sorrow over his boxer’s decision to take the fight. Ojo had repeatedly warned Olanrewaju against accepting a fight on such short notice, especially given his lack of preparation. “He wasn’t training properly, and I told him to wait for a better offer,” Ojo said.
The trainer revealed that Olanrewaju had first mentioned the fight would take place on April 1 but later informed him that the date had been moved to March 29. Ojo, who had refused to travel without proper flight arrangements, advised Olanrewaju to skip the fight and wait for a more reasonable opportunity. “I told him it was too soon, and suggested we travel together if they booked our flights,” Ojo said. “But they offered to arrange a car for him instead, which I refused. He knew I didn’t want him to go.”
Despite Ojo’s warnings, Olanrewaju ultimately decided to go ahead with the fight, leaving without informing his trainer of his final decision. Ojo said he later learned that Olanrewaju had obtained a release letter for the match but did not tell him about his plans to travel to Ghana. “He knew I wouldn’t allow him to go, so he left without telling me. Now, we are dealing with this painful loss,” Ojo said, fighting back tears.
Ojo highlighted the importance of proper preparation for boxing matches, explaining that athletes need adequate time to train and get in the right physical condition. “This is why I always warn my boxers against taking fights on short notice. You need at least one month to prepare,” he added. “May his soul rest in peace.”
Segun “Success” Olanrewaju’s tragic death has left a lasting impact on the Nigerian boxing community. Olanrewaju, who was widely respected as a skilled and determined boxer, had a successful career as a National and West African light-heavyweight champion. His unexpected passing has prompted widespread calls for greater attention to the safety and well-being of boxers, particularly when it comes to ensuring proper medical clearance and approval for fights.
The incident has also highlighted the financial struggles faced by some boxers, many of whom are forced to accept fights under poor conditions due to financial pressures. Olanrewaju’s case underscores the dangers of accepting matches without proper preparation or authorization, as well as the need for stronger regulation in the sport to prevent such tragedies from occurring.
As the boxing world mourns the loss of one of its brightest stars, Olanrewaju’s death has raised critical questions about the safety measures and protocols in place for fighters, especially when it comes to competing in international bouts. His death serves as a somber reminder of the importance of making informed decisions and prioritizing health over financial pressures in the high-risk world of professional boxing.
