Rafiu Ladipo, president of the (NBB of C), confirmed the iconic boxer’s death to TheCable on Thursday.
Nwankpa passed away in the early hours of Tuesday, a few months after it was revealed that he had been battling dementia and memory loss.
Ladipo said the late boxer “gave his all” for Nigeria during his boxing career. He added that the NBB of C will be working with the bereaved family to ensure a befitting burial is given to the Nwankpa.
Ladipo added that the commission will ensure that the legendary pugilist is properly immortalised.
Nwankpa was one of the prominent stars during the Nigerian boxing golden age in the 1970s and 1980s.
He won the Nigerian light welterweight title in 1972 after defeating Anthony Andeh, another boxing great. Nwankpa clinched gold medals in the light welterweight category at the 1973 All-Africa Games in Lagos and the 1974 British Commonwealth Games in Christchurch, New Zealand.
He also won the African Boxing Union (ABU) lightweight championship title and was Commonwealth champion in the same category.
In 1981, Nwankpa challenged Saoul Mamby of the US for the World Boxing Council (WBC) light-welterweight title. The American fighter defeated him via split decision.
Nwankpa hung up his gloves in 1991 and became a coach, leading the Nigerian boxing team to a couple of Olympics.
