Oyo boxer dies during training

Oyo State Sports Council was thrown into mourning on Friday when one of its promising boxer, Friday Obasi, 28, dropped dead, while sparring with a fellow boxer at the premises of Lekan Salami Sports Complex.

Obasi, who never gave any signs of ill-health prior to the training session on the faithful day, fell after receiving a punch from his sparring partner and hit head to a bare floor where they were training.

He collapsed as he could not get prompt medical attention as the clinic inside the stadium was yet to open for the day at 11:am. The boy with a deep cut on his head was, however, taken to the clinic.

Obasi gave up the ghost a few minutes later before he could be taken to Adeoyo State Hospital, Ring-Road, where his corpse was eventually deposited.

The General Manager of Oyo State Sports Council, Folake Oyelakin, who confirmed the sad incident, said the management would visit the bereaved family to commiserate with them and look into how to give the dead athlete a befitting burial.

The Chairman of Oyo State Boxing Association, Baron Akintunde Opaleye, while reacting on the event, expressed grief over the death of the promising heavy weight boxer, who was described by his peers as a hustler, who hawk in the traffic to make ends meet after his boxing training.

He, however, promised of taking measure in ensuring a good and saver condition of environment for their boxers, saying athletes’ welfare is of paramount interest on the programmes of the association.

Baron added that the association will send a delegation to the bereaved family and fashion out how to give him a nice burial, while praying God to give his family the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.