A Nigerian boxer, Segun Olanrewaju, tragically collapsed and passed away in the ring during a boxing match against a Ghanaian opponent at the Bukom Boxing Arena.
The devastating incident was made public on X (formerly Twitter) by user @oxygist, who provided details about how Olanrewaju slumped mid-fight, causing immediate shock among spectators and officials present at the venue.
The post’s caption read: “Heartbreaking moment a Nigerian boxer, Segun Olanrewaju, collapses and passes away in the ring during a match against a Ghanaian opponent last night 💔😢.”
As the news spread across social media, many fans, sports enthusiasts, and fellow athletes took to the comment section to express their condolences, concerns, and opinions regarding the incident. Many questioned the safety measures in place and the handling of the emergency.
See some reactions below:
@chimex55: “Why would the ref allow the fight to continue, after the sign he gave…poor from the officials.”
@VICKKYTEE5: “Paramedics no dey the venue?…none of them sabi do CPR?… May his soul rest in peace.”
@madukwe_john: “So sad, these boxers should go through thorough checks before climbing the ring.”
@Stonipre: “What’s the cause; heart failure, repeated, consecutive cases of undetected concussion, head & brain trauma? Boxing is a brutal sport. Repeated health checks/scans are imperative to guarantee safety & career progression. RIP, soldier. You left a legacy as an absolute gentleman.”
@BomeNehemiah: “This is sad, may he find eternal rest.”
@El_AfortunadoDD: “He must have heard a sudden heart attack. May confot his family.”
Many in the boxing community have since called for improved medical evaluations before matches, as well as better emergency response protocols at sporting events to prevent such heartbreaking occurrences in the future.
Sports analysts and medical experts emphasize the importance of pre-fight screenings, ensuring that fighters are in peak health conditions before engaging in physically demanding matches. The tragedy of Segun Olanrewaju serves as a grim reminder of the risks involved in boxing and other high-contact sports.
While the official cause of his collapse is yet to be confirmed, speculations suggest that it could have been due to a pre-existing medical condition, severe exhaustion, or an undetected internal injury. Authorities are expected to conduct a full investigation to determine the exact cause of his unfortunate demise.
His passing has sparked widespread discussions about athlete safety, especially in combat sports, and whether stricter medical examinations should be mandated for fighters before stepping into the ring.
WATCH VIDEO:
Heartbreåking moment a Nigerian boxer, Segun Olanrewaju collapses and d!es in the ring during a match against a Ghanaian opponent at the Bukom Boxing Arena last night💔😢
(Ahmed Musa Emefiele Where is Wike Opay Eid Mubarak) pic.twitter.com/L3Ewc0BQRG
— Oxygist (@oxygist) March 30, 2025