The wife of late Nigerian boxer Gabriel Oluwasegun Olanrewaju has expressed profound grief and frustration over the lack of support her husband received prior to his untimely death during a boxing match in Ghana. She revealed that Olanrewaju, who was her sole provider, faced significant financial challenges leading up to the bout. Despite his pleas for assistance, his concerns were reportedly ignored, culminating in his tragic passing.
Olanrewaju collapsed during the third round of his fight against Ghana’s John Mbanugu at the Bukom Boxing Arena in Accra. He was pronounced dead after efforts to revive him at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital failed. Prior to the match, he had sent a message to his mother, stating he was being pressured to step down for his opponent, but he refused. This message was discovered posthumously, raising further concerns about the circumstances surrounding his death.
In the wake of her son’s death, his mother has made a heartfelt plea for justice, calling on Nigerian President Bola Tinubu and the public to support her in seeking accountability. She emphasized that Olanrewaju was her only child and expressed anguish over his loss, stating, “He has a wife and children. He’s the only one taking care of us.”
The tragic incident has sparked discussions about the need for better protection and support for boxers, particularly those from Nigeria, who often face financial and organizational challenges. The boxing community and the public await further investigations to uncover the full details surrounding Olanrewaju’s death and to ensure that justice is served for him and his grieving family.#newsafro_
