Nigerian boxer Gabriel Oluwasegun Olanrewaju tragically died after fainting during a fight at the Bukom Boxing Arena in Accra on Saturday night, according to official confirmation from the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA).
The terrible incident happened during an undercardon bout in Ghana's Professional Boxing League between Olanrewaju and Accra-born John Mbanugu, commonly known as Power.
When Olanrewaju unexpectedly passed out in the ring halfway through the bout, the referee called for emergency medical help. The 40-year-old fighter was taken to Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, where he was subsequently declared dead, after efforts to revive him failed.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Nigerian Boxing Board of Control issued a formal statement urging the Ghana Boxing Authority to compensate the boxer's family.
The General Secretary stressed in an exclusive interview with 3Sports that all the evidence suggests the unfortunate incident was caused by the Ghana Boxing Authority's disregard for the sport's rules and regulations.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Nigerian Boxing Board of Control issued a formal statement urging the Ghana Boxing Authority to compensate the boxer's family.
These things can be difficult to do in boxing at times. Everyone is aware of that. What we are saying is that , this incident that had transpired, what sparked it? Every piece of evidence indicates that the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) failed to fulfill its obligations.
Therefore, they ought to provide compensation. That's what we want to know. We wouldn't have any grounds to demand payment from the GBA if it had occurred organically and all sporting regulations had been observed.
Although neither the GBA nor us are delighted, we will not demand compensation provided the sport's laws and regulations were followed prior to the incident. However, we claim that it was not adhered to.
A seven-member committee has been formed by the Ministry of Sports and Recreation to look into the death of Nigerian boxer Gabriel Oluwasegun Olanrewaju.
The purpose of this action is to ascertain the facts surrounding the terrible incident that occurred during a game versus John Mbanugu of Ghana.