Nigerian boxer dies after collapsing in the ring without contact

Gabriel Oluwasegun Olanrewaju mysteriously fell backwards into the ropes

Boxer tragically died at a local hospital after CPR had been attempted in arena

Nigerian boxer Gabriel Oluwasegun Olanrewaju has died after collapsing in the ring during a fight.

Olanrewaju, 40, appeared to be fighting normally but then mysteriously, without any contact being made by his opponent Jon Mbanugu, he staggered back and fell unconscious onto the ropes in the third round.

The contest last Friday was immediately brought to a stop by Referee Richard Amevi in front of a stunned crowd at Bukom Boxing Arena in Accra, Ghana’s capital.

A ringside doctor gave Olanrewaju CPR and he was then taken to Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital where he died 30 minutes later.

‘We are devastated’, said Remi Aboderin, the general secretary of the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control.

‘[This] is not something we envisaged. We will live up to our responsibility and make sure that we stand [by] the family.’

Nigerian boxer Gabriel Oluwasegun Olanrewaju (pictured) has died aged 40

Bukom Boxing Arena in Accra, pictured during a previous event, was the scene of the tragedy

The fighter was not struck but staggered backwards before collapsing on the ropes

The NBBC had passed Olanrewaju fit to compete following his standard medical tests before the bout.

He had a record of 13 wins, eight losses and two draws and he turned professional in 2019, becoming a west African champion in his weight class at his peak.

His death is the second in boxing this year after Irish super-featherweight super-featherweight John Cooney, 28, succumbed to a brain injury seven days after a fight with Nathan Howells in February.

Cooney had suffered an intracranial haemorrhage per a statement released by promoter Mark Dunlop and was operated on before being moved to ICU but he tragically was unable to recover.

MHD Promotions confirmed the devastating news on behalf of Cooney’s heartbroken family.

It read: ‘It is with complete devastation that we have to announce that after a week of battling for his life John Cooney has sadly passed away.

‘Mr and Mrs Cooney and his fiancée Emmaleen would like to thank the staff at Belfast’s Royal Victoria Hospital who have worked tirelessly to save John’s life and for everyone who has sent messages of support and prayers.

‘He was a much-loved son, brother and partner and it will take us all a lifetime to forget how special he was. RIP John ‘The Kid’ Cooney.’