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Jun
Jun
NIGERIAN BOXING LEGEND OBISIA NWANKPA DIES AT 75
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CapitalTimesNews / 3 weeks
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- 2 min read
Obisia Nwankpa, a renowned Nigerian boxer and former national coach, has passed away at the age of 75. He died in the early hours of Tuesday, June 3, 2025, after battling dementia and other health issues. Nwankpa’s illustrious career spanned over four decades, during which he represented Nigeria at the 1972 Munich Olympics and won multiple titles, including gold medals at the 1973 All-Africa Games in Lagos and the 1974 British Commonwealth Games in Christchurch, New Zealand. He was also a Nigerian Lightweight Champion, African Boxing Union Lightweight Champion, and Commonwealth Lightweight Champion. As a professional boxer, Nwankpa had a shot at the World Boxing Council (WBC) light-welterweight title but lost to American champion Saoul Mamby. He fought in 29 professional bouts, winning 23 and losing six. After retiring from boxing, Nwankpa transitioned into coaching and led the Nigerian boxing team to the Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. His contributions to Nigerian boxing have been immense, and his legacy will be remembered for generations to come. Rafiu Ladipo, President of the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control, described Nwankpa’s death as a “big blow” to the boxing community. “This is another big blow for us… Obisia deserves to be immortalised in this country because he gave his all to boxing,” Ladipo said. Nwankpa’s body has been moved to a mortuary, and funeral arrangements are pending. The Nigeria Boxing Board of Control has expressed its willingness to work with the family to ensure a befitting burial. Nwankpa’s death marks another significant loss for Nigerian sports, following the passing of football legend Christian Chukwu and rising boxing star Segun Olarenwaju, who died in the ring in Ghana.
