The Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) has confirmed that late Nigerian boxer Segun Olanrewaju was declared medically fit by the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control (NBBofC) before his ill-fated bout in Accra, Ghana.

In a statement by its director of communication Mohammed Lamptey on Sunday, the GBA said, “Gabriel Oluwasegun Olanrewaju was declared medically fit by the Nigeria Boxing Board Control (NBBofC) with his certified certificate as a professional boxer before the GBA sanctioned and approved the international contest.”

Olanrewaju, a former national and West African light-heavyweight champion, faced Ghanaian boxer Jon Mbanugu in an eight-round light-heavyweight contest at Fight Night 15 of the Ghana Professional Boxing League. The event was part of the Bel 7star energy drink professional boxing league, organized by Imax Boxing Promotions.

According to the GBA, Olanrewaju appeared to dominate the fight but suffered an unexpected collapse in the third round. “Gabriel Oluwasegun, some few seconds to end round 3, stepped back during the fight and leaned on the ropes with his back without any punch whatsoever from his opponent Jon Mbanugu,” the statement read.

Recognising the distressing situation, referee Richard Amevi “waved his hand for the end of the fight, and immediately invited the ringside physician with the support of paramedics from the national ambulance service to attend to the boxer and help resuscitate him.”

Despite efforts by medical personnel, Olanrewaju was transported to the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, where he was pronounced dead 30 minutes after arrival.

The GBA president, Abraham Kotei Neequaye, was present at ringside and accompanied the boxer to the hospital. He later initiated the process of preserving the boxer’s body while communicating with the NBBofC’s general secretary Remi Aboderin about the tragic incident.

The GBA stated that Neequaye reported the incident to the Korle Bu Police Station and assisted in transferring Olanrewaju’s remains to the mortuary.

The statement further noted, “The Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) is seriously mourning the demise of a potential world beater who was dictating a beautiful fight and all of a sudden visited the canvas and fell into what has been described as an induced coma even though an official cause of death is yet to be made available after autopsy.”

Expressing condolences, the GBA extended its sympathies to the NBBofC and the global boxing community. “There are several deaths recorded in the ring over the years, we pray to the Lord to help protect all boxers during fights. Death is indeed unknown and you never know where it will catch up with you.”

The statement concluded with a tribute: “May the soul of Gabriel Oluwasegun and all other boxers who died in similar circumstances rest in perfect peace.”