What was Gabriel Oluwasegun Olanrewaju’s cause of death? A look at the tragic demise of a Nigerian boxer in Ghana

The sudden and tragic death of Nigerian boxer Gabriel Oluwasegun Olanrewaju grabbed wide attention in the media while the boxing world mourned the untimely demise of the former Nigerian boxing champion. The 40-year-old fighter collapsed during a light heavyweight bout against Ghanaian opponent Jon Mbanugu at the Bukom Boxing Arena in Accra, Ghana, on March 28, 2025. Despite being swiftly attended to by medical personnel, Olanrewaju was pronounced dead just 30 minutes after arriving at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.


The match had been proceeding normally, with Gabriel Oluwasegun Olanrewaju reportedly holding his own against Jon Mbanugu. However, in the third round, as it was just 15 seconds left, he suddenly staggered back and collapsed onto the ropes.
Eyewitnesses were surprised to see the sudden collapse of Olanrewaju, as there was no clear, decisive blow that could have caused such a reaction. The referee, Richard Amevi, immediately halted the fight, allowing medical personnel to rush in. The ringside doctor administered CPR before transporting him to the hospital, where all efforts to revive him failed.
The Ghana Boxing Authority released a statement acknowledging the mysterious nature of the collapse, noting that Olanrewaju had been "dictating a beautiful fight" before unexpectedly falling into what was described as an induced coma. "The boxing authority is seriously mourning the demise of a potential world beater," the statement read. However, the official cause of death remains undetermined, pending an autopsy.


Prior to the fight, Olanrewaju had been deemed "medically fit" by the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control (NBBofC), which had approved his participation. The Ghana Boxing Authority had also cleared him to compete. His record stood at 13 wins, eight losses, and two draws. He had a decorated career, previously holding both the Nigerian Light Heavyweight Championship and the West African Boxing Union title.
Olanrewaju's professional journey began in July 2019, and he quickly made a name for himself. He eventually earned the nickname "Success" and added a remarkable boxing legacy to his name, including a six-fight knockout streak that saw him claim championship gold. However, his career had taken a downturn in 2024, with a four-fight losing streak leading up to the tragic bout in Ghana.
The news of Olanrewaju’s death sent shockwaves through the boxing world. NBBC General Secretary Remi Aboderin expressed the deep sorrow felt by the Nigerian boxing community. "We are really devastated," he said. "[This] is not something we envisaged. We will live up to our responsibility and make sure that we stand [by] the family."
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As the world awaits the autopsy results, questions remain about what exactly led to Olanrewaju’s sudden collapse. Was it an undetected medical condition? A cardiac event? Regardless, Gabriel Oluwasegun Olanrewaju’s death is a heartbreaking loss for Nigerian boxing and the sport at large.