Nigerian boxer Gabriel Olanrewagu collapsed in the ring during a match in Accra and later died at the hospital. Authorities are investigating, and an autopsy is pending.

A tragic incident unfolded at the Bukom Boxing Arena on Saturday night during the Bel 7Star Ghana Professional Boxing League, as Nigerian boxer Gabriel Aluwasegun Olanrewagu collapsed in the ring while facing off against 22-year-old Ghanaian contender Jonathan Mbanugu. Despite receiving immediate medical attention, Gabriel was rushed to the hospital, where he sadly succumbed to his condition.

The boxing community has been shaken by the devastating loss of Gabriel Aluwasegun Olanrewagu, a Nigerian light heavyweight fighter who collapsed mid-bout during a professional match in Accra. He was later pronounced dead at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in the early hours of Sunday, March 30.

The match, an international eight-round contest organized by Osibor Boxing Promotions, had reached its third round when tragedy struck. During an intense exchange of punches, Gabriel suddenly stepped back, lost his footing, and fell heavily to the canvas. Referee Richard Amevi quickly noticed that Gabriel was unresponsive, halting the mandatory count and urgently calling for the ring doctor and emergency medical personnel.

Gabriel Olanrewagu, known in the boxing world as "Success," was a 40-year-old orthodox boxer from Lagos, Nigeria. His professional career spanned 23 fights, during which he secured 13 victories, suffered 8 defeats, and recorded 2 draws. Since making his professional debut on July 30, 2019, he had fought a total of 99 rounds and boasted an impressive knockout rate of 92.31%. Globally, he was ranked 448th, while in Nigeria, he held the 7th position among 43 active light heavyweight boxers.

His opponent, Jonathan Mbanugu, also known as "Power for Power," is a 22-year-old orthodox fighter from Accra, Ghana. He has built an impressive record of 14 fights, securing 12 wins, 1 loss, and 1 draw. Since making his debut on December 24, 2023, he has maintained a perfect knockout rate. He is currently ranked 352nd in the world and 12th among 42 light heavyweight boxers in Ghana.

According to sources from the Ghana Boxing Authority and Osibor Boxing Promotions, an official report has been submitted to the Ghana Police Service, and the Nigeria Boxing Authority has been informed of the incident. Gabriel's body has been taken to the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, where it awaits an autopsy.