Trust Sports Emporium confirms Nigerian Boxer’s Death, Postpones Amateur Boxing League
The Trust Sports Emporium, operators of the Bukom Boxing Arena, has released an official statement expressing profound sorrow over the death of Nigerian boxer Gabriel Aluwasegun Olanrewagu, who tragically collapsed during an IMAX Boxing League match on March 29, 2025, and was later pronounced dead at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.
The incident, which has sent shockwaves through the boxing community, has prompted the Emporium to take immediate action, including the postponement of its upcoming Amateur Boxing League.
In a press statement issued from its headquarters in Accra, the Trust Sports Emporium clarified that while the fatal bout took place at its facility, the event was organized by Imax Boxing Promotions, not the Emporium itself.
“Despite these precautions, we are deeply saddened by this tragic outcome,” the statement read. “The Trust Sports Emporium is always committed to ensuring that all events held at any of its facilities take place under safe conditions.”
The presence of medical personnel and emergency transport, however, was not enough to save Olanrewagu, who reportedly suffered a collapse mid-fight against Ghanaian boxer Jon Mbanugu.
Though the exact cause of death remains under investigation, the loss has reignited discussions about the inherent risks of the sport.
In response to the incident, the Emporium announced the indefinite postponement of its Amateur Boxing League, originally slated to begin soon, until “all the major issues arising from the death of the boxer have been duly addressed.”
This decision underscores the gravity of the situation and signals a period of reflection and review for the organization as it collaborates with relevant authorities and stakeholders to assess what went wrong.
The statement concluded with a heartfelt message of condolence:
“We wish to extend our deepest sympathy once again to the family of the boxer and the boxing fraternity as a whole.”
The Trust Sports Emporium’s management refrained from speculating on the circumstances of Olanrewagu’s death, leaving such details to official inquiries likely to be led by the Ghana Boxing Authority and medical experts.
Olanrewaju, known in the ring as “Success,” was a celebrated figure in Nigerian boxing, having once held the National and West African light-heavyweight titles.
From Sammy Heywood Okine
