Kofi Iddie Adams, Ghana’s Minister of Sports and Recreation, has assured the public that the Sports Ministry and the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) will provide full cooperation to investigate the tragic death of Nigerian boxer Gabriel Oluwasegun Olanrewaju.
The athlete passed away following a light-heavyweight bout against Ghanaian boxer Jon Mbanugu at the Bukom Boxing Arena.
In a press release dated March 31, 2025, Adams expressed deep sorrow and extended heartfelt condolences to Gabriel’s family, friends, and the Nigerian boxing community.
“Gabriel, a promising athlete who displayed exceptional talent, passion, and courage in the ring, passed away under unfortunate circumstances,” Adams noted, describing his passing as an irreplaceable loss to the boxing world.
The Minister emphasised the commitment of the Ministry and the GBA to work alongside all relevant authorities to ensure a thorough probe into the incident. While awaiting the official medical report on the cause of Gabriel’s death, Adams highlighted the importance of improving safety measures in the sport.
“We deeply empathise with the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control (NBBC), the entire Nigerian boxing fraternity, and the global boxing community over this irreplaceable loss,” he remarked.
Adams reaffirmed his dedication to safeguarding the wellbeing of athletes and called on stakeholders across the continent to collaborate in preventing similar tragedies in the future.
He concluded by offering thoughts and prayers for Gabriel’s family and urged the boxing community to honour his memory by striving for greater safety in the sport.
