The widow of Nigerian boxer Gabriel Olanrewaju has revealed she is yet to receive the $3,000 donation made by Ghana’s boxing authorities because her husband’s family are fighting over the funds.
Speaking in an interview on June 19 with an Accra-based radio station, Maria Adebusola Olanrewaju expressed frustration over being sidelined, both emotionally and financially, following her husband’s tragic death in March 2025.
“The family members of my husband are fighting over the $3,000 donated by the entourage from Ghana. The money is yet to be given to me,” she lamented.
The donation was made by the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) when officials returned Gabriel’s remains to Nigeria on June 17, nearly three months after he died during a bout at Bukom Boxing Arena in Accra. The Nigerian boxer collapsed mid-fight against Ghanaian opponent John Mbanugu and was later pronounced dead at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital. A post-mortem confirmed heart failure as the cause of death.
Blocked from burial rites
Mrs. Olanrewaju also claimed that she was prevented from performing traditional burial rites and denied access to her husband’s body and children during the handover process.
“Immediately we received my husband’s body, his family did not allow me to perform my rites. They did not give me and the children access,” she said, holding back tears.
The GBA had pledged the donation to support the late boxer’s family, especially his widow and children. However, the ongoing dispute over who controls the money has delayed its release to Maria, drawing concern from fans, boxing authorities, and social commentators.
Questions over fighter safety and support
The incident has reignited debates about athlete safety protocols and the kind of posthumous support available to the families of fighters who die in the ring. Many believe the GBA should intervene to ensure the funds reach the rightful beneficiaries.
“It’s heartbreaking that the widow, who lost her husband in such a tragic way, is now being denied basic support,” a fan commented online. “She deserves that money.”
Gabriel Olanrewaju’s death has also placed a spotlight on regulations in African boxing, with calls for better insurance, medical screening, and family support systems in the sport.
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