Ghana has announced plans to launch a formal investigation into the unfortunate and tragic death of Nigerian boxer Segun Olanrewaju, who suddenly collapsed during his professional boxing match in Accra.
Olanrewaju was facing off against Ghanaian boxer Jon Mbanugu in the Fight Night 15 event of the Ghana Professional Boxing League, which took place at the Bukom Boxing Arena on March 29. The incident occurred during the third round of the match, when Olanrewaju unexpectedly collapsed.
Olanrewaju was quickly rushed to the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital for immediate medical attention, but sadly, he was later pronounced dead upon arrival at the facility.
In response to this devastating loss, Ghana’s Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, confirmed that the country would establish an investigative committee to thoroughly examine all the circumstances surrounding the incident, particularly the events leading up to Olanrewaju’s sudden collapse during the match.
During an interview with Ghanaian radio station Sporty FM, Adams reassured the public that the investigation would be comprehensive and transparent. He emphasized the importance of determining whether all the appropriate fight protocols and safety measures were properly followed, including ringside medical precautions and the presence of paramedics during the bout.
“It is only through an investigation that we can determine if all the necessary fight protocols were followed, including ringside safety measures and the presence of paramedics,” Adams explained. “We need to form a committee to look into this matter, and I assure everyone that no aspect of the investigation will be covered up.”
The investigation comes amid allegations of negligence and concerns about the safety of boxers during professional matches. Remi Aboderin, the Secretary-General of the Nigerian Boxing Board of Control (NBB of C), has suggested that the fight may not have adhered to standard boxing regulations and protocols.
Olanrewaju, who was a respected former West African and national light-heavyweight champion, had accumulated an impressive professional record of 24 fights, with 13 victories, 8 losses, and 3 draws throughout his career.
His untimely death has raised important questions regarding the safety of boxers and the regulatory standards in the sport, particularly in relation to the safety protocols implemented in professional boxing matches. The boxing community and fans are eagerly awaiting the outcome of the investigation to ensure that proper safety measures are in place to protect athletes in future events.