Following the tragic death of Nigerian boxer Gabriel Olusegun ‘Segun Success’ Olanrewaju, international ring official and boxing matchmaker Olusegun Ayodele Adesanya has emphasized the need to stop boxers from fighting at short notice.
Adesanya stressed that boxers should undergo routine medical check-ups, including life insurance and crucial medical testing such as MRIs, ECGs, CT scans, and Hepatitis B tests.
“Boxers should have routine medical check-ups 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 further emphasized the importance of educating boxers about the rules and risks associated with the sport. “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.”
Adesanya also highlighted the need to prioritize the safety of boxers before they enter the ring. “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.”