Nigerian boxer suddenly dies after collapsing mid-fight: 'Unpredictable nature of the sport'

Gabriel Oluwasegun Olanrewaju, a nonrecreational boxer from Nigeria, died abruptly implicit the play aft helium collapsed successful the 3rd circular of a light-heavyweight combat successful Ghana, according to officials. 

Oluwasegun tragically died Saturday astatine Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, located successful the superior of Accra, aft helium collapsed little than halfway done his eight-round bout against Ghana’s Jon Mbanugu, the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) said successful a statement. 

Gabriel Oluwasegun Olanrewaju died 30 minutes aft being transported to a infirmary successful Ghana. (Fernando Lavoz/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Oluwasegun was dominating the fight, but began to falter successful the third, according to officials. Just nether 3 minutes into the round, Oluwasegun stepped backmost from his hostile and fell backward onto the ropes. 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

The GBA said Mbanugu did not deed Oluwasegun straight earlier he collapsed successful the ring. Video of the combat shared connected societal media supported this. 

Oluwasegun appeared unconscious arsenic the referee waved implicit for help.

According to the connection from the GBA, the ringside doc and paramedics attempted to resuscitate Oluwasegun connected the country earlier helium was transported to the hospital, "where helium was pronounced dormant 30 minutes aft arrival." 

PROFESSIONAL BOXER PAUL BAMBA DEAD AT 35, DAYS AFTER WINNING TITLE BOUT

No origin of decease has been revealed, but the GBA described the concern arsenic an "induced coma" successful its statement. 

The World Boxing enactment besides released a connection calling for "the urgent request for rigorous investigating protocols to guarantee the wellness and information of our fighters." The GBA said Oluwasegun was "declared medically acceptable by the Nigeria Boxing Board Control (NBBC)" anterior to the fight. 

"It is with profound sadness and a dense bosom that I, connected behalf of the Ministry of Sports and Recreation and the Government of Ghana, widen my deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Nigerian boxer, Gabriel Oluwasegun Olanrewaju, who tragically passed distant pursuing his contention astatine the Bukom Boxing Arena," Kofi Iddie Adams, the curate of sports and recreation successful Ghana, said successful a property release.  

"We profoundly empathize with the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control (NBBC), the full Nigerian boxing fraternity, and the planetary boxing assemblage implicit this irreplaceable loss. Gabriel's untimely departure not lone deprives boxing of an admirable rival but besides reminds america of the unpredictable quality of the athletics we passionately love."

Oluwasegun was "declared medically acceptable by the Nigeria Boxing Board Control (NBBC)" anterior to the fight. (David Davies - PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Adams said the ministry and the GBA volition enactment with officials successful the probe into Oluwasegun’s abrupt death. 

The 40-year-old boxer entered the combat with a 13-8 record, with 12 of those wins by knockout. 

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports sum connected X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.