Nigeria’s boxing legend, Obisia Nwankpa, popularly known as ‘Golden Gloves,’ passed away on June 3, 2025, at the age of 75. He made his final public appearance in September 2024 at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, visibly ailing, after years of battling dementia. Born in Mushin, Lagos, in 1950, he was a renowned boxer who fought in the light and light welterweight category.
He was a towering figure in African boxing for over four decades and represented Nigeria at the 1972 Munich Olympics, losing his first fight to Laudiel Negron of Puerto Rico. He won multiple titles as a professional boxer, winning the Nigerian lightweight title, African Boxing Union lightweight title, Commonwealth lightweight title and was a challenger for World Boxing Council (WBC) lightweight title against Saoul Mamby.
During the 1973 All-Africa Games in Lagos, he participated in the lightweight competition and won gold, defeating Issake Dabore of Niger Republic in the final. In the 1974 British Commonwealth Games held in Christchurch, New Zealand, he fought in the light-welterweight division and won gold in the final by defeating Anthony Martey of Ghana.
After his retirement, he went into coaching and coached Nigeria’s Olympic boxing teams in 2004 and 2008. In all his professional career, Nwankpa fought 29 bouts, winning 23, including 16 by knockout, and losing 6.
The death of Obisia Nwankpa is a huge blow to the boxing federation in Nigeria. Nigeria’s boxing needs the services of retired, and experienced former boxers to nurture and mentor young, aspiring boxers. At 75 years old, Obisia did not die at a deserved, old age because many sports people who represented Nigeria many years ago and are older than him are still alive. It raises the question of how well the Nigerian government takes care of former sports persons who represented the country and brought honours to their fatherland.
There are reports that Nwankpa battled dementia for many years before his death. During his health challenges and low moments, did the boxing federation alert the government of his health predicaments? If they did, did the government respond in any significant way? Indeed, the time has come for the federal government to start taking care of sports persons who represented the country in various categories of sports competitions. Also, state governments should not be left out. Local governments where the sports person comes from should also lend a helping hand in some ways. That way, active sports persons will be motivated to do more.
We urge the federal government to immortalize him. Abia State government should also do something in his honour. Obisia Nwankpa quit boxing in 1991. In an interview five years ago, he confirmed that he started out as a footballer but was encouraged by one Mr. Olutokunbo to go into boxing. According to Obisia, God used the man to bring him fame and fortune through boxing. Commenting on the future of Nigerian boxing, he said that the future was bleak because boxing in Nigeria was declining. He attributed the decline of boxing to government’s failure to support boxers and the boxing federation in the country. He, therefore, charged the government and corporate bodies to support boxing and encourage boxers to excel locally and internationally.
Immortalizing him could be in the form of naming one monument after him. Also, the government can inaugurate the Obisia Nwankpa Boxing Tournament, where aspiring young boxers would participate and win prizes in different categories. As an active boxer, Obisia was humble, honest and dedicated to the sports. He was never involved in any scandal, whether as an active boxer or a coach leading Nigeria’s boxing team to international competitions. Many sports and boxing enthusiasts have extolled him as a legend of the game. Nigeria, Abia State and indeed the boxing community owe him a befitting burial as a way to show appreciation for his selfless service to the country.
The government should endeavour to reach out to his wife and children to assist them in the burial of the boxing legend. The government must make elaborate plans to begin to celebrate Nigeria’s past heroes while they are alive. We commiserate with his family, fans and the boxing community on the irreparable loss. Goodbye Obisia Nwankpa!