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Boxing gloves in a ring.Nigerian boxer Oluwasegun Olanrewaju, who collapsed during a fight in Ghana, has died. He was 40.
Olanrewaju was facing off against Jonathan Mbanugu of Ghana on Saturday, March 29, in a light-heavyweight match at the Bukom Boxing Arena when he fell over backward into the ropes and appeared to lose consciousness. The referee immediately called for the ringside doctor and paramedics to assist the boxer and revive him.
Olanrewaju was then taken to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, according to the Ghana Boxing Authority, and despite efforts to resuscitate him, he was pronounced dead soon after.
"We are really devastated," said Nigeria Boxing Board of Control, Remi Aboderin, in an interview with BBC Sport Africa. "[This] is not something we envisaged. We will live up to our responsibility and make sure that we stand [by] the family."
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Boxers in the ring.Aboderin added that Olanrewaju was a "ring warrior" and a "fearless" fighter.
The GBA announced its intention to investigate Olanrewaju's death, as well as the safety measures in place during the fight.
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Known as "Success" in the boxing community, Olanrewaju kicked off his career in 2019, later gaining national and West African championship titles. Before the bout on March 29, Olanrewaju had 13 wins — all but one by knockout, according to NilePost — as well as 8 losses.
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