Tag: Obisia Nwankpa

President Bola Tinubu commiserates with the family and friends of boxing legend Obisia Nwankpa, who died on June 2, 2025, at 75.

Nwankpa represented Nigeria at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, competing in the light-welterweight division.

He won gold medals at the 1973 All-Africa Games in Lagos and the 1974 British Commonwealth Games in Christchurch, New Zealand, in the same welterweight division.

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Nwankpa held several prestigious titles, including Nigerian Lightweight Champion, African Boxing Union (ABU) Light-Welterweight Champion, and Commonwealth Lightweight Champion.

President Tinubu notes that Nigeria’s sporting community and Nigerians will long remember the legendary boxer and coach for the honour he brought to the country in the ring and the exciting moments he gave to fans throughout his career.

”The nation owes him a debt of gratitude for nurturing a new generation of boxers after retiring from active competition, including leading Nigeria’s boxing team to the Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008 Olympics,” he says.

The President prays for the peaceful repose of his soul and divine comfort for all who mourn him.

Flykite Productions, organisers of GOtv Boxing Night, have expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Nigerian boxing legend, Obisia Nwankpa, who died on Wednesday, aged 75.

Flykite, in a statement, described the former African and Commonwealth boxing champion as a towering figure in Nigerian sports whose legacy transcended the ring.

 “Obisia Nwankpa was more than a champion; he was an inspiration to generations of Nigerian boxers and sports enthusiasts,” the statement read. “His contributions to the development of boxing in Nigeria remain indelible. We beseech the Almighty to comfort his family”

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Flykite noted that Nwankpa’s unwavering support for grassroots boxing initiatives played a pivotal role in the success of GOtv Boxing Night and GOtv Boxing NextGen Search. He was a talent judge and coach at the latter.

“He believed in the future of Nigerian boxing and worked tirelessly to ensure young fighters had a platform to shine. He great man whose passion for the sport was matched only by his humility and integrity,” the statement added.

Fondly called  ‘golden gloves’,  Nwankpa was a trailblazer in Nigerian boxing. He represented Nigeria at the 1972 Olympic Games and went on to win numerous international titles during a stellar professional career. Following his retirement, he became a coach and administrator, nurturing young talents and championing the sport’s revival in Nigeria.

Renowned pugilist and  former national team’s boxing coach  Obisia Nwankpa fondly called ‘Golden Gloves’, is dead.

He was 75 years of age.

Family sources  said the late  national and Commonwealth  champions who had  been battling with strokes,  died late  Tuesday’s night . He was 75.

Born 19th  May  1950, Nwankpa  had a distinguished  boxing career  and  was  at various times between  1970s and 1990s, the  holder of the  Nigerian lightweight title, African Boxing Union light welterweight title, and Commonwealth lightweight title.

At the 1973 All-Africa Games in Lagos, Nwankpa won the gold medal in the light-welterweight  class after  defeating Issake Dabore of Niger in the final. He also a proud  gold medal winner  in the light-welterweight category at the 1974 British Commonwealth Games  in Christchurch, New Zealand where  he defeated  Anthony Martey of Ghana in the final.

He competed in the men’s light welterweight event at the 1972 Summer Olympics but lost to Laudiel Negron of Puerto Rico in his first bout. He was  also in the  Nigeria’s contingent  to the botched  Montreal 1976  Olympics  Games.   As a professional boxer,  Nwankpa had a shot at  the World Boxing Council (WBC) light welterweight title  but lost to  American  champions, Saoul Mamby.

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Altogether, Nwankpa  had 29 professional bouts under his belt and  won 23 ( 16 by knockouts) and lost six.

At retirement, he turned  to coaching and led  the Nigerian contingent  to both the Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

In what was one of  his   last major public outings, Nwankpa  was in the mix  at  The Sports Diplomacy Wall of Fame at the Nigeria Institute of International Affairs (NIIA)  in July 2023  where the 1976 Olympic team and the 1980 Green Eagles were recognised and honour their contributions to Nigeria and their sacrifices during the apartheid era in an  initiative spearheaded by Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Chief Allen Onyema.

President of the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control (NBB of C),  Dr. Rafiu  Ladipo described Nwankpa’s death as a huge loss  to Nigerian boxing, adding his memory must be immortalised.

 “This is another big blow for us… Obisia deserves to be immortalised in this country because he gave his all to boxing,” Ladipo told PREMIUM TIMES. “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.