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Nigerian Boxing Authority Demands Accountability from Ghana Boxing Authority Over Segun Olarewaju’s Death

The Nigeria Boxing Board of Control (NBB of C) has demanded answers from the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) regarding the tragic death of Nigerian boxer, Segun ‘Success’ Olarewaju, who died during a fight in Ghana last weekend. The Secretary-General of the NBB of C, Remi Aboderin, expressed deep dissatisfaction with how the GBA handled the fight, accusing them of violating critical boxing regulations that contributed to the unfortunate incident.

In an exclusive interview with KIIN360, Aboderin shared that Olarewaju’s death could have been prevented if the proper protocols had been followed by the GBA. He stated that the Nigerian authorities did not approve of the fight that led to Olarewaju’s death, citing numerous violations of professional boxing rules.

According to Aboderin, Olarewaju’s weight at the weigh-in for the fight exceeded the required limit for a light heavyweight bout. He revealed that Segun weighed in at 85kg, well over the 80kg limit for a non-title light heavyweight fight. In a title fight, the limit is 79kg, and even a slight increase over the limit puts a boxer in the cruiserweight category. “If all the rules and regulations had been adhered to, the GBA would not have been held responsible for Segun’s death,” Aboderin explained. “However, the GBA ignored these rules and allowed Segun to fight without the necessary preparation.”

Aboderin also raised concerns about the lack of proper medical checks by the GBA. He emphasized that the GBA failed to conduct the required medical tests before the fight, which could have identified any underlying health issues that may have posed a risk during the bout. “Segun should have been properly medically tested by the GBA’s medical team. If such tests had been carried out, perhaps the fight could have been prevented,” he added.

The NBB of C also took issue with the handling of the fight’s scheduling. Olarewaju was initially informed by his opponent’s coach that he was meant to lose the match. Despite this, Segun refused to back down and was reportedly forced to return to the ring after refusing to accept the outcome. This led to his tragic demise after the fight, further raising concerns about the ethics and conduct of the event organizers.

Aboderin further stated that the NBB of C did not approve Olarewaju’s participation in the fight on the rescheduled date, insisting that the GBA should have contacted them for consent regarding the change in the fight schedule. “If they had contacted us and informed us about the change, we would have provided the necessary approval. But they did not follow the correct process, and this is why we hold them accountable,” Aboderin noted.

As a result, the NBB of C is calling for the Ghana Boxing Authority to be held responsible for failing to adhere to professional boxing regulations. Aboderin also demanded that compensation be provided to Olarewaju’s family, in addition to the payment for the fight he had signed. He emphasized that although boxing is inherently dangerous, adherence to safety protocols and regulations can prevent such tragic outcomes.

“This tragedy would not have occurred if the GBA had followed the required rules and regulations. We are asking for compensation for the deceased’s family, and we believe the GBA must be held accountable for failing to properly regulate the fight,” Aboderin concluded.

The Nigerian boxing community continues to mourn the loss of Segun Olarewaju, and this incident has sparked a renewed conversation about the importance of strict adherence to boxing regulations to protect the lives of fighters.

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