The executives of the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control (NBBofC), led by its President, Dr. Rafiu Ladipo, over the weekend performed a ceremonial pullout known as Final Bell: A Pull-Out Ceremony for the recently departed former national and West African light-heavyweight champion, Segun ‘Success’ Olanrewaju, who collapsed during a boxing match in Ghana.
This was observed during the boxing show organized by Balmoral Group Promotions at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, on Friday and another boxing show held inside the National Institute of Sports (NIS) indoor sports hall, Surulere, Lagos, on Sunday.
All the members of the boxing sanctioning body, the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control, were clad to wear T-shirts bearing the mourning pix of the late boxer and observe a moment of silence with a round-12 bell salute; a final bell in boxing tradition that signals the end of a great fighter’s journey was performed.
Dr. Ladipo, the President of the NBBofC, while performing the ritual, said, “Though Olanrewaju Segun ‘Success’ has left the ring of life, his spirit will continue to echo in every gym, every glove, and every boxing gathering. Rest on, champ. You fought the good fight.”
NBBofC Secretary General Remi Aboderin, who coordinated the two bouts, also said, “Today we gather not in mourning, but in celebration of a life that punched through adversity, round after round. We honor Segun Success, a warrior of the ring and of the heart.”
“We are alive to our responsibilities concerning this tragic incident, and we have been doing all in our power to ensure all hidden facts about this death in the ring are unveiled and unraveled, as we have forwarded our petition to the Ghana Professional Boxing Board.”
“Our deepest condolences to the family of the fallen “Ring Soldier” Oluwasegun “Success” Olanrewaju; may his amiable soul rest in perfect peace.”
