A tragic incident unfolded at the Bukom Boxing Arena in Accra on Saturday night during the Bel 7Star Ghana Professional Boxing League, as Nigerian light heavyweight boxer Gabriel Aluwasegun Olanrewagu collapsed in the ring during his bout against Ghanaian fighter Jonathan Mbanugu. Despite immediate medical intervention, he was rushed to Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead in the early hours of Sunday, March 30.
The match, an international eight-round contest organized by Osibor Boxing Promotions, was in its third round when the 40-year-old Nigerian suddenly stepped back, lost balance, and collapsed to the canvas. Referee Richard Amevi promptly stopped the bout, calling in the medical team after realizing Gabriel was unresponsive.
Nicknamed “Success,” Gabriel Olanrewagu had a professional record of 23 fights, with 13 wins, 8 losses, and 2 draws. He had been active in professional boxing since his debut in July 2019, accumulating 99 rounds fought and an impressive 92.31% knockout rate. He ranked 7th in Nigeria among 43 light heavyweights and 448th globally.
His opponent, Jonathan “Power for Power” Mbanugu, a rising 22-year-old Ghanaian fighter, had a record of 14 fights, securing 12 victories, 1 loss, and 1 draw. Since debuting in December 2023, he maintained a perfect knockout record. Mbanugu is currently ranked 12th in Ghana among 42 light heavyweights and 352nd worldwide.
Following the tragic event, the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) and Osibor Boxing Promotions submitted an official report to the Ghana Police Service, while the Nigeria Boxing Authority was also notified. Gabriel’s body remains at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, awaiting an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the boxing community, reigniting discussions on fighter safety protocols and medical preparedness in the sport.
