Autopsy reveals cause of death of Nigerian boxer who slumped during a fight in Ghana

An autopsy carried out on the remains of 40-year-old Nigerian boxer, Segun ‘Success’ Olanrewaju, who slumped during a boxing match at the Bukom Boxing Arena on Saturday, March 29, 2025, has shown that he died from Cardiac arrest.

The former National and West African light-heavyweight champion, was facing Accra-born John Mbanugu, nicknamed “Power” in an undercard bout  when he suddenly fell to the canvas mid-fight, prompting the referee to immediately call for medical assistance. Medical professionals rushed to the scene but despite attempts to revive him, the 40-year-old boxer was pronounced d3ad. Read here.

Announcing the outcome of the autopsy to newsmen, the Secretary-General of Nigeria Boxing Board of Control and West African Boxing Union President, Remi Aboderin, said the preliminary post-mortem results indicated cardiac arrest as the cause of death, but further investigation is needed before the body can be released.

“The preliminary post-mortem results indicate that Segun died from sudden cardiac arrest. But further investigation into his heart condition is required, and as a result, his body will not be released to Nigeria for burial until approximately two weeks,” Aboderin said

The autopsy was conducted on Wednesday, April 2 following a court order into the death of the Nigerian boxer.