Nigerian boxing legend, Obisia Nwakpa has passed away at the age of 75, after battling health issues and dementia.
According to reports, the former Nigerian and African lightweight champion died on Tuesday, June 3, after allegedly battling health issues and dementia.
Nwakpa, fondly known as “Golden Gloves,” was born in Lagos, Nigeria’s former capital on May 19, 1950.
His illustrious career as a professional boxer spanned across the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s.
Nwankpa was a former Olympian, as well as an All-Africa Games and Commonwealth gold medallist.
He flew Nigeria’s flag in the boxing event at the 1972 Olympic Games in Germany and at the 1973 All-Africa Games in Lagos, where he competed in the light-welterweight category and won a gold medal.
Also Read
- Yobe youths coalition raises N202m for Lawan’s governorship bid
- UBA denies reports Tony Elumelu divorced wife, announces arrests of three
- ADC factional chair denies threat to life claims
- Political nomad, Onanuga reacts to Peter Obi’s ADC exit
- Why I stopped going to church – Funke Akindele
He also claimed the gold medal at the 1974 British Commonwealth Games in Christchurch, New Zealand, and featured in several amateur competitions.
He dominated the domestic scene, where he was the Nigerian national lightweight champion.
He also claimed the African Boxing Union lightweight championship belt, and was Commonwealth champion in the lightweight category.
He was ranked as the number one contender for the World Boxing Council light-welterweight title.
After hanging up his gloves, Nwakpa served as head coach of the Nigerian boxing team and led them to the 2004 Summer Olympic in Athens, Greece and the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.
