The family of late Nigerian boxer, Segun ‘Success’ Olanrewaju, has opened up about his painful death, describing him as a loving father, a hard-working son, and a determined athlete who was denied his dreams.
In an emotional interview, his wife Adebusola Olanrewaju said they were married for two years and had two children together, aged two years and nine months. She described him as humble, kind, and always involved in caring for their kids.
“He used to bathe the children, carry one and put the other on his back or neck. He would take videos and post them proudly. Even when people insulted him online, he didn’t care. He just loved his children,” she said, struggling through tears.
Adebusola recalled that her husband left for Ghana with hopes of advancing his boxing career but was told to deliberately lose a fight—an offer he rejected. “He said he didn’t go to Ghana to lose. He stood his ground,” she said.
She last spoke with him around 11 p.m. on a Saturday. By the next morning, she was told he had died. “We never imagined that he would leave so soon. I don’t know what to tell my children,” she said.
She also revealed that Olanrewaju had plans to register his bus and start a commercial transport business once he returned.
His mother, Mrs. Olanrewaju, said the boxer had always been truthful and hard-working. After trying his hands at bricklaying and music, he finally found his path in boxing and even became a world champion.
“He kept his bus and training gear at my house. He was that close to me,” she said. “Now they’ve taken him from me. He didn’t get to enjoy the fruit of his labour.”
His sister, Rachel Olanrewaju, said the family has not recovered from the shock. “He was our only brother since our father died in 1993. He was cheerful, strong, and always made people laugh—even when he had little himself,” she said.
Rachel recounted a strange experience on the night he passed. “My dog barked all night. I became worried and came home. That’s when I heard he was dead. I never expected to lose him so soon—not in the next 20 years.”
The family is now calling for justice and recognition of Olanrewaju’s struggles and sacrifice. “Please don’t let his death be in vain,” his wife pleaded.