
After former Nigerian captain and football coach, Christian Chukwu, another death has been recorded in the Nigerian sports scene. This follows the death in the ring of Segun Olarenwaju in Ghana.

Boxing icon Obisia Nwankpa, widely known as “Golden Gloves,” has died at the age of 75. He passed away in the early hours of Tuesday, June 3, 2025.
Nwankpa was a former Olympian, as well as an All-Africa Games and Commonwealth gold medallist. He was also a national coach. Nwankpa was a towering figure in African boxing for over four decades.
Advertisement

To order your copy, send a WhatsApp message to +1 317 665 2180
He represented Nigeria at the 1972 Munich Olympics. He claimed multiple titles as a professional. Later, he coached Nigeria’s Olympic boxing teams in 2004 and 2008. Nwankpa, who had been battling dementia in recent years, made a final public appearance in September 2024, visibly ailing.
President of the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control, Rafiu Ladipo, described the loss as a “big blow.” He called for Nwankpa to be immortalised. Funeral arrangements are pending.

