By Olanrewaju Agiri
In the wake of the death of Nigerian boxer Gabriel Olusegun Olanrewaju, also known as “Segun Success,” international ring official and boxing matchmaker Olusegun Ayodele Adesanya has issued a condolence message to all boxing stakeholders, asking them to avoid allowing boxers to fight with little notice, just a few days away.
Considering the circumstances surrounding the final moments of the late Segun Success, Adesanya stated that he has been advocating for the necessity of medical fitness for boxers through life insurance and other crucial medical testing including MRIs, ECGs, CT scans, and hepatitis “B.”
“Boxers should have routine medical checkups to know their status, especially for life-threatening diseases like hepatitis B. I brought the idea of having the professional boxers screened for hepatitis B and vaccinated if they are negative, but if tested positive, they commence on hepatitis B treatment,” Adesanya noted.
He added, “Do you know that we have professional boxers who are hepatitis B positive still actively fighting even internationally. There must be regular seminars for boxers because they are ignorant of the rules inside and outside the ring. That is why they go for everything they see due to lack of knowledge.”
“Ensuring the safety of boxers before they enter the ring is crucial to preventing injuries and such calamity as we witnessed in this Segun case. May his soul rest in peace, and may the family be granted the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss,” Adesanya, who has become a prominent figure in the Nigerian boxing community, explained.
Adesanya, beyond his official capacities, is also involved in community health education and serves as a clergy member at Amazing Care Foundation, a non-governmental organization. His multifaceted roles highlight his dedication to both the sport of boxing and the well-being of his community.
