Segun ‘Success’ Olanrewaju, a former National and West African light-heavyweight champion, tragically passed away in Accra, Ghana, on March 29, 2025, after collapsing during a fight at Fight Night 15 of the Ghana Professional Boxing League.

Olanrewaju, 40, was initially set to fight on Friday, but the match was canceled after he was found overweight. Despite not receiving official approval for the Saturday bout, he chose to fight due to financial pressures.

“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,” Remi Aboderin, Secretary-General of the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control (NBBofC), told The Punch. “The fight was canceled, but Segun insisted on fighting the next day to clear his debts.”

According to Aboderin, Olanrewaju decided to return to Ghana for the fight after his initial match was scrapped, citing financial difficulties and the need to pay off debts. “He left Nigeria with no money and he had debts to pay and needed money,” Aboderin added.

Olanrewaju was leading the fight when tragedy struck. After landing a few punches, he collapsed after a right-hand punch from his opponent, Ghana’s Jon Mbanugu.

Despite attempts to resuscitate him, Olanrewaju was pronounced dead at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.

His trainer, Babatunde Ojo, had advised Olanrewaju against the short-notice fight. “I told him it was at short notice… you can’t pick a fight at short notice, you need at least one month,” Ojo lamented. “I am very saddened by his loss; may his soul rest in peace.”

The incident has raised serious questions about the dangers of rushed and financially motivated fights.