Deborah Akinyosoye
Nigerian boxing icon Obisia Nwankpa, popularly known as “Golden Gloves,” has died at the age of 75. He passed away in the early hours of Tuesday, 3 June 2025, marking another significant loss for Nigerian sports in a year marked by bereavement.
Confirming the development, Rafiu Ladipo, President of the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control (NBB of C), described Nwankpa’s death as a blow to the nation’s boxing community and called for his legacy to be preserved.
“This is another big blow for us… Obisia deserves to be immortalised in this country because he gave his all to boxing,” Ladipo said in an interview with a media outfit.
The late boxer’s remains have been moved to a mortuary, while funeral arrangements are yet to be announced. Mr Ladipo said the NBB of C is open to supporting the family during the period of mourning.
“The family has not gotten across to us, but if they get across to us, we will do what is expected of us,” he said.
Nwankpa’s death follows a string of notable losses in Nigerian sports this year, including football legend Christian Chukwu and rising boxer Segun Olarenwaju, who died in the ring in Ghana.
Born on 19 May 1950 in Lagos, Obisia Nwankpa’s boxing journey spanned over four decades. He represented Nigeria at the 1972 Munich Olympics in the light-welterweight division and quickly became a dominant figure on the continental and international stage.
He won gold at the 1973 All-Africa Games in Lagos and at the 1974 British Commonwealth Games in Christchurch, New Zealand. As a professional, he held titles including Nigerian Lightweight Champion, African Boxing Union Lightweight Champion, and Commonwealth Lightweight Champion.
He also contended for the WBC Light-Welterweight title against Saoul Mamby of the United States. Nwankpa fought in 29 professional bouts, winning 23, 16 by knockout and losing six.
After retiring, he continued to shape the sport as a coach. He led Nigeria’s boxing team to the Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and mentored numerous young boxers. In his final years, Nwankpa battled dementia and other health challenges.
A rare public appearance in September 2024 at the National Gym in Surulere, Lagos, revealed the extent of his condition. Accompanied by his wife and children, he was no longer able to speak or recognise loved ones, according to his daughter, who spoke to Fight Gist Media.
Nwankpa’s life and career left an enduring imprint on Nigerian boxing, both in the ring and from the sidelines.