Sports

UPDATE: How bankruptcy led Nigerian boxer to death in Ghana – NBBofC

Published

10 months ago

March 31, 2025

486 Views

The Nigeria Boxing Board of Control says boxer Segun ‘Success’ Olanrewaju, who died in Accra, Ghana on Saturday, was not granted approval for the fatal bout after his initial fight scheduled for Friday was cancelled after being adjudged overweight.

The 40-year-old former National and West African light-heavyweight champion lost consciousness during his bout against Ghanaian boxer Jon Mbanugu at Fight Night 15 of the Ghana Professional Boxing League at Bukom Boxing Arena, Accra on Saturday.

It was learnt that Olanrewaju was leading on points before the tragic incident occurred in the scheduled eight-round light-heavyweight contest against Mbanugu, also known as “Jon Power,” who holds a record of 12 wins, one loss, and one draw, with 12 knockouts.

It took only a few seconds for officials and fans at the Bukom Boxing Arena to realise that something was seriously wrong.

Olanrewaju had landed two weak punches on his opponent before Mbanugu responded with a right hand to the Nigerian’s face.

After a brief impasse between both men, the Nigerian boxer staggered backwards, fell against the ropes and collapsed, to the disbelief of the fans.

The Nigerian fighter slumped on his side as the referee began the mandatory count.

Moments later, he turned face down, with his throat resting against one of the ropes.

His team rushed into the ring, placed him on the canvas, removed his gum shield, and attempted to resuscitate him as he appeared to be gasping for breath.

The on-site emergency medical team quickly transported him to the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Secretary-General, the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control, Remi Aboderin, said the boxing body permitted Olanrewaju to fight on Friday but the bout was cancelled.

According to Aboderin, the late pugilist then decided to fight the next day so he could make some money to clear his debts back home.

“Segun got our approval to fight in Ghana, a fight that was proposed to take place on a Friday. Unfortunately, they did weigh-in on Thursday and he was found to be overweight and they told him the person he was to fight was not his weight.

“They said to do this, they would increase his purse with another $500, which he said was too small, and due to that, there was no agreement.”

Aboderin further revealed that another Nigerian fought that Friday night.

“Saturday morning, they were on their way back to Lagos, they had even left Accra and were at Aflao border when Segun said to the coach that followed him, that’s Diran Alamu, that it was not going to be easy returning home; he left Nigeria with no money and he had debts to pay and needed money.

So, he wanted to call the Ghanaians and see if another fight was coming up and told them he was now ready to collect the additional $500 as discussed because he felt it would not pay him if he returned home without money.

“So, they called the matchmaker, who informed him that there was a fight on Saturday night and that they could put the fight for that Saturday, but we didn’t give him the approval for that, and this is where the GBA (Ghana Boxing Association) erred.

So, he turned back and went back to Ghana because he needed the money; he owed a lot of people money,” the NBBofC secretary added.

Coach Babatunde Ojo, who trained Olanrewaju, also said that he advised the boxer against fighting on short notice.

“He (Olanrewaju) told me they gave him a fight last week. After he informed me, I told him, ‘the fight was at short notice, you are not training and you want to go, you can’t go, leave this fight for a better offer,’” Ojo said.

“He initially told me the fight was on April 1, but he called later to say it was no longer next month but on March 29.

So, I told him that it was at short notice but if he wanted us to go together, he should tell the organisers to book flights so we could go there and come back together. He called them and when he got back to me, he said they told him they would get him a car that would take him to Ghana.

I said no, that’s not possible. So, he knew I didn’t want him to go.

“After that, he called me that they (NBBofC) had given him a release letter (for the fight). I didn’t hear from him afterwards, so I called him.

He said he had been called again for the fight and was going that night. I told him, ‘Success, don’t you think this fight is too early?’ He said he would call me back. The next time I called him, he said he was on his way (to Ghana), and he didn’t call me because he knew I wouldn’t allow him go.

That was why he didn’t tell me. He is an adult, so, I could not stop him.

“Now we have this situation, these are the things I advise my boxers against; you can’t pick a fight at short notice, you need at least one month. I am very saddened by his loss; may his soul rest in peace,” Ojo added.

Related Topics:Featured GBF NBBofC Nigerian Boxer

Up Next

NTTF U-12 National Hopes Week kicks off today in Lagos

Don't Miss

Nigerian Boxer, Olanrewaju Dies in Boxing Ring

Click to comment

Sports

Arsenal wins $2.3m prize in FIFA Women’s Champions Cup

The European champions edged past the Brazilian side thanks to a decisive extra-time strike from Caitlin Foord, securing a payout almost four times the €500,000 ($590,000) they earned for winning last season’s UEFA Women’s Champions League.

Published

2 days ago

February 2, 2026

OCHEFA

16 Views

Arsenal has emerged the winner of the inaugural FIFA Women’s Champions Cup, claiming a record $2.3 million prize, the largest financial reward in the history of women’s club football. It beats Corinthians 3–2 .

Despite being heavy favourites, Arsenal were pushed to the limit by a spirited Corinthians side, who had stunned US champions Gotham FC in the semi-finals.

Olivia Smith gave Arsenal an early lead, but Gabi Zanotti quickly drew Corinthians level.

Lotte Wubben-Moy restored the Gunners’ advantage, and celebrations were already building when Corinthians struck back dramatically in stoppage time.

Vic Albuquerque converted from the penalty spot after Gisela Robledo was fouled in the box.

Arsenal’s superior depth eventually told in extra time, as Foord squeezed a finish in at the near post to finally break Corinthians’ resistance and seal a historic victory.

.“It’s not often you can write history at Arsenal because history has been written so many times,” Wubben-Moy told Sky Sports. “To come to this inaugural competition and win it, with our fans here, is really special.”

Sports

CAF Suspends Hakimi, Thiaw, & Fines both Morocco and Senegal

Published

6 days ago

January 29, 2026

Charles Flames

50 Views

The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) Disciplinary Board has imposed significant sanctions on the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF) and the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF), along with several players and officials from both nations.

The penalties stem from incidents that occurred during and after the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 final match, which violated the CAF Disciplinary Code, including breaches of fair play, loyalty, integrity, and respect for match officials.

The decisions were announced on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, following a review of disciplinary reports from the high-profile final held in Rabat, Morocco.Sanctions on the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF):

– A fine of USD 300,000 for the improper conduct of its supporters, which brought the game into disrepute.

– A fine of USD 300,000 for the unsporting conduct of its players and technical staff.

– A fine of USD 15,000 for team misconduct, due to five players receiving cautions (yellow cards).

– Total fines on FSF: Approximately USD 615,000.

Individual sanctions for Senegal include:

– Head coach Pape Bouna Thiaw suspended for five official CAF matches and fined USD 100,000 for unsporting conduct and bringing the game into disrepute (linked to events such as a brief team protest over a late VAR decision).

– Players Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr each suspended for two official CAF matches for unsporting behavior toward the referee.

Sanctions on the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF):

– A fine of USD 200,000 for the inappropriate behavior of stadium ball boys during the match.

– A fine of USD 100,000 for the conduct of players and technical staff (including invading restricted areas).

– A fine of USD 15,000 for fans’ use of lasers (as reported in some summaries).

– Total fines on FRMF: Approximately USD 315,000.

Individual sanctions for Morocco include:

– Player Achraf Hakimi suspended for two CAF matches (with one potentially suspended for a year in some reports).

– Other players, such as Ismaël Saibari, facing suspensions of up to three matches and fines.

The CAF Disciplinary Board also reportedly rejected a formal protest from the FRMF alleging violations by Senegal, confirming Senegal’s status as AFCON 2025 champions.

These measures mark one of the stricter disciplinary responses in recent AFCON history, aimed at upholding the integrity of the competition amid the chaotic scenes that overshadowed the final.

Both federations have the option to appeal certain decisions through CAF processes.

Sports

Super Eagles captain Ndidi mourns father’s death

” We are deeply saddened to learn of the tragic passing of our footballer Wilfred Ndidi’s esteemed father, Sunday Ndidi, in a fatal traffic accident,” the club said in a statement released via their official X account.

Published

1 week ago

January 27, 2026

OCHEFA

61 Views

• Super Eagles captain Wilfred Ndidi

Sunday Ndidi – the father of Super Eagles captain, Wilfred Ndidi, died today in a road accident at Umunede, Delta State.

The retired military officer was confirmed dead after being rushed to a hospital at Agbor, also in Delta State.

Ndidi’s club, Besiktas, confirmed the incident on Tuesday.

“We are deeply saddened to learn of the tragic passing of our footballer Wilfred Ndidi’s esteemed father, Sunday Ndidi, in a fatal traffic accident,” the club said in a statement released via their official X account.

Ndidi recently captained Nigeria to a third-place finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, where he also scored his first international goal for the country.

While celebrating his headed goal against Tunisia in Nigeria’s second group match, the midfielder referenced his father and his admiration for former Nigeria captain Kanu Nwankwo.

The celebration came from my dad because he was always talking about Kanu Nwankwo,” Ndidi told journalists in Morocco.

“So I just thought about my dad. I had seen the video before, but it came to my head, and I said I was going to do it for my dad.”

Ndidi, who often speaks about growing up with his father in the barracks, was born and raised in Lagos.