An autopsy conducted on the remains of 40-year-old Nigerian boxer Segun ‘Success’ Olanrewaju, who collapsed during a boxing match at the Bukom Boxing Arena on Saturday, March 29, 2025, has revealed that he died from cardiac arrest.
Olanrewaju, a former National and West African light-heavyweight champion, was facing Accra-born John Mbanugu, also known as “Power,” in an undercard bout when he suddenly fell to the canvas mid-fight. The referee immediately called for medical assistance, and despite efforts to revive him, the boxer was pronounced dead at the scene.
Speaking to the media, Remi Aboderin, Secretary-General of the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control and President of the West African Boxing Union, announced that the preliminary post-mortem results confirmed that Olanrewaju died from sudden cardiac arrest. However, further investigation into his heart condition is required before his body can be released for burial.
“The preliminary post-mortem results indicate that Segun died from sudden cardiac arrest, but further examination of his heart is necessary. As a result, his body will not be released to Nigeria for burial for approximately two weeks,” Aboderin said.
The autopsy was carried out on Wednesday, April 2, following a court order regarding the boxer’s death.