The boxing community is reeling from the sudden and tragic death of Nigerian boxing legend Segun ‘Success’ Olanrewaju, who collapsed during a fiercely contested match in Accra, Ghana, on Saturday, March 30, 2025. The 34-year-old former national and West African light-heavyweight champion was pronounced dead after losing consciousness during the ninth round of his bout against Ghana’s Jon Mbanugu at the historic Bukom Boxing Arena.
Olanrewaju, a beloved figure known for his tenacity and sportsmanship, was leading on judges’ scorecards at the time of the incident, leaving fans, athletes, and officials grappling with shock and sorrow.
A Nightmarish Turn in Bukom: The Fight That Ended a Legacy
The Ghana Professional Boxing League’s Fight Night 15 had been billed as a clash of titans. Olanrewaju, a veteran with a reputation for thrilling comebacks, faced off against Mbanugu, a rising Ghanaian star, in front of a raucous crowd at Bukom, a venue synonymous with West Africa’s boxing culture. Witnesses described the atmosphere as electric, with Nigerian and Ghanaian fans chanting rival slogans as the fighters traded blows.
Olanrewaju started strong, leveraging his signature footwork and jabs to dominate early rounds. By the seventh round, judges had him ahead by four points, with commentators praising his “calculated aggression.” However, in the ninth round, after ducking a hook from Mbanugu, Olanrewaju paused abruptly, clutching his gloves to his temple. He stumbled backward and collapsed near the ropes, prompting immediate chaos. Medics sprinted into the ring, performing CPR for over 20 minutes before rushing him to Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, where he was declared dead.
A 45-second clip of the collapse, widely shared on social media, shows Mbanugu kneeling beside his fallen opponent, visibly distraught. “I heard him gasp—then he just went down,” the Ghanaian later recounted. “This isn’t how any fighter wants to win.”
From Lagos Streets to Continental Glory: Olanrewaju’s Journey
Born in the Mushin district of Lagos, Olanrewaju’s rise to fame was a story of grit. Orphaned at 12, he sold bottled water in traffic to survive before a local coach spotted his raw talent at a community gym. By 19, he’d won his first amateur title, adopting the ring name “Success” as a testament to his relentless drive.
His professional breakthrough came in 2018 when he defeated defending champion Tunde Okeke in a 10-round thriller to claim Nigeria’s light-heavyweight title. Three years later, he unified the West African Boxing Union (WABU) crown after a brutal knockout of Benin’s Mathieu Dossou. Fans adored his flamboyant ring entrances and post-fight dances, but colleagues revered his humility. “He’d stay late to spar with rookies,” recalled trainer Femi Adeyemi. “He never forgot where he came from.”
Outside boxing, Olanrewaju funded scholarships for underprivileged athletes and campaigned against gang violence in Lagos. “Boxing saved my life,” he told Channels TV in 2024. “If I can pull one kid out of crime, that’s my real title.”
Global Outcry: Athletes, Fans, and Leaders Mourn a Fallen Hero
Tributes poured in within hours of his death. Nigerian President Bola Tinubu hailed Olanrewaju as “a national treasure,” ordering flags flown at half-mast. Ghana’s sports ministry issued a statement praising his “role in bridging West African unity through sport.”
Boxing legends also joined the chorus of grief. Retired heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua tweeted: “Success was the embodiment of resilience. Africa has lost a king.” Meanwhile, the World Boxing Council (WBC) announced a moment of silence at all upcoming global matches.
Nigerian athletes across disciplines shared personal anecdotes. Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen posted a video of Olanrewaju cheering at a football match, writing, “He supported us; now we weep for him.”
Investigations Launch Amid Calls for Stricter Safety Measures
Olanrewaju’s death has reignited debates over boxing safety protocols. While he passed a pre-fight medical screening, questions linger about emergency response times and the availability of neurological equipment at the venue. The Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) has opened an inquiry, scrutinizing referee decisions and medical preparedness.
Dr. Abena Asare, a sports physician in Accra, emphasized the risks inherent to combat sports. “Even with precautions, sudden cardiac events or aneurysms can be undetectable,” she said. “But this tragedy should push federations to adopt advanced screening technologies, like AI-powered brain monitoring.”
Olanrewaju’s family has appealed for privacy but endorsed calls for reform. “Let his death save others,” said his elder sister, Adunni Olanrewaju. “No fighter should risk their life for entertainment.”
A Legacy Etched in Blood and Sweat
Segun ‘Success’ Olanrewaju’s funeral will be held in Lagos on April 12, with a public procession past the gym where his career began. The Nigerian Boxing Federation plans to retire his #12 jersey and establish an annual award in his name for sportsmanship.
As tributes continue to flood in, a poignant social media trend captures the collective heartbreak: fans posting videos of Olanrewaju’s iconic victories with the caption, “Rest, Champion. You fought well.” His final fight, though ending in unimaginable tragedy, underscored the passion and peril that define boxing—a sport he loved until his last breath.
Segun Olanrewaju is survived by his wife, Zainab, and two children.
