Sad Video: Nigerian Boxer Gabriel Olanrewaju Dies After Collapsing at Bukom Boxing Arena

Ghana’s boxing community is reeling from the tragic loss of Nigerian boxer Gabriel Oluwasegun Olanrewaju, who collapsed during a bout at Accra’s Bukom Boxing Arena on Saturday night.

Olanrewaju, 40, faced Accra-born John Mbanugu, known as “Power,” in an undercard match of Ghana’s Professional Boxing League. Midway through the fight, he suddenly fell to the canvas, prompting the referee to call for immediate medical assistance. Despite urgent efforts, Olanrewaju was transported to Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Preliminary reports suggest he may have suffered a cardiac arrest, though official confirmation is pending.

A widely circulated video captures the moment both fighters exchanged punches before Olanrewaju stumbled and collapsed, just 15 seconds before the end of the third round in the scheduled eight-round bout. Initially, officials assumed it was a knockdown, but the severity of the situation quickly became apparent, leading to the bout’s immediate cessation.

According to BoxRec, Olanrewaju had a professional record of 23 fights, securing 13 wins—12 by knockout—alongside eight losses and two draws. His last fight occurred on December 24, 2024, against Idowu Raheed at Lagos’s Campos Mini Stadium. Despite recent setbacks, including four consecutive losses, Olanrewaju remained a respected figure in the boxing community.

The Ghana Boxing Authority is expected to release an official statement regarding this unfortunate incident. As the boxing world mourns, this tragedy underscores the sport’s inherent risks and the paramount importance of athlete safety.

For a visual account of the incident, you can watch the following video: