The Nigerian boxing community is reeling from the tragic death of Segun “Success” Olanrewaju, a former national and West African light-heavyweight champion, who collapsed during a fight in Ghana.
Olanrewaju, aged 40, was competing against Ghanaian boxer John Mbanugu, known as “Power,” in an undercard match at Ghana’s Professional Boxing League when the unfortunate incident occurred.
The bout, held on Saturday, March 29, at the Bukom Boxing Arena, took a tragic turn when Olanrewaju suddenly collapsed with just 15 seconds remaining in the third round of the scheduled eight-round contest.
The referee immediately signaled for medical assistance, and paramedics rushed in to administer emergency care. Despite their swift response, the Nigerian boxer was pronounced dead at the scene, with early reports pointing to a possible cardiac arrest as the cause.
Footage of the fight, which has since circulated widely online, captures the intense exchanges between the two fighters before Olanrewaju lost his balance and collapsed.
Born in Lagos, Olanrewaju carved out a respectable professional career, securing 13 wins—12 by knockout—out of 23 fights. However, he faced a challenging period in recent years, suffering four consecutive losses leading up to his final bout. His previous fight before the Ghana match occurred on December 24, 2024, when he was defeated by Idowu Raheed at the Campos Mini Stadium in Lagos.
His sudden passing has left the boxing world in shock, with tributes pouring in from fans, fellow fighters, and sports enthusiasts who remember him as a formidable champion in the ring.
