Gabriel Oluwasegun Olanrewaju collapsed onto the ropes in the third round without contact.
Nigerian boxer Gabriel Oluwasegun Olanrewaju died during a fight over the weekend after collpasing in the ring mid-round.
The Ghana Boxing Authority confirmed his death following the tragic incident. Olanrewaju fell into the ropes during the third round of a fight with Ghanaian fighter Jon Mbanugu.
The fight was immediately stopped by the referee following the collapse before the ringside physician began adminstering aid to Olanrewaju. He was later transported to the Bukom Boxing Arena, where he passed away 30 minutes after his arrival.
“Nigerian boxer Gabriel Oluwasegun Olanrewaju collapsed and died during a fight against John Mbanugu in Ghana. The cause of his death is still unknown and is under investigation. May his soul rest in peace.”
Remi Aboderin, the general secretary of the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control, made a statement following the tragic accident.
“We are really devastated. [This] is not something we envisaged. We will live up to our responsibility and make sure we stand [by] the family.”
Olanrewaju was deemed medically fit to compete for his fight with Mbanugu by the NBBC after standard tests done before the bout began.
Olanrewaju began his professional career in 2019. He found immediate success, winning multiple fights in the ring in year one. The 6-foot-1 fighter worked his way up the rank. In 2023, Olanrewaju knocked out Simon Olayinka to win the West African Boxing Union light heavyweight title.
Recent Deaths In The Fitness Community
There has been an unfortunate string of deaths in the fitness world this year. Jodi Vance tragically passed away during the 2025 Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus, Ohio. Initial reports from friends and family suggest that severe dehydration led to a major heart attack, resulting in her untimely death.
Jodi Vance was a relative newcomer to the competitive bodybuilding scene but had already made notable strides. She competed in the Women’s Physique division at the 2024 NPC Battle of Texas, securing a commendable third place.
Prior to that, influencer and bodybuilder Kim Woong Seo passed away on Feb. 3. Seo built a massive following on social media due to his impressive physique and overall presence in the fitness community. This includes over 43,000 on Instagram and a growing total on YouTube as well. Seo was well-known in the fitness world and fans took to this post to share their condolences with his family.
GI sends condolences to family and friends during this time. For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
