An autopsy has confirmed that 40-year-old Nigerian boxer Segun ‘Success’ Olanrewaju died from sudden cardiac arrest after collapsing during a boxing match at the Bukom Boxing Arena in Accra, Ghana, on Saturday, March 29, 2025.

Olanrewaju, a former National and West African light-heavyweight champion, was competing against Ghanaian boxer John Mbanugu, popularly known as “Power,” in an undercard bout when he unexpectedly slumped in the ring. The referee immediately halted the fight and called for medical assistance. Despite swift intervention from ringside medics, efforts to revive him were unsuccessful, and he was pronounced dead shortly afterward.

Addressing the media, Remi Aboderin, Secretary-General of the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control (NBB of C) and President of the West African Boxing Union (WABU), confirmed that preliminary autopsy findings point to cardiac arrest as the cause of death. However, further examinations are still required.

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

The autopsy was conducted on Wednesday, April 2, following a court order mandating a full inquiry into the boxer’s sudden death.