How Nigerian Boxer, Akeem Sadiku Dodo Died

Afrique Boxing Promotion (COABOX) has announced the death of one its promising boxers, Akeem Sadiku popularly known as Dodo, who passed away early morning of Saturday 30th January at the University College Hospital (UCH) at 37.

The boxer, according to the CEO of COABOX, Olusola Ayodele, had a successful surgery on Friday and was returned to the Intensive Care Unit of UCH, where he was recuperating, only to develop complications over night and gave up the ghost Saturday morning.

Sadiku, who defeated George Amuzu from Côte D’Ivoire in a continental boxing challenge bout held at Ilaji Resort on December 27th on knockout, had a good professional boxing record consisting 11 total fights, with 9 Wins (7 by Knockout), 1 Loss and 1 Draw.

Mourning the super welterweight fighter, President of the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control, NBBofC, Dr. Rafiu Ladipo described Sadiku’s death as a very sad one to the Nigerian boxing family, saying that Dodo was one of the best fighters Nigeria had in the professional cadre.

“We have lost one of our finest boxers. I can remember how he won his last fight by knockout on the 27th December at Ilaji Resort, and he never looked sick. I pray God to grant him eternal rest. NBBofC will have a meeting tomorrow, Sunday, from where we will know what to do to support his family,” Ladipo said.

Also mourning the late boxer was the Secretary General of NBBofC, Remi Aboderin, who was in shock, when he heard of the sad news.

He described the incident as a tragic one to the entire boxing fraternity in Nigeria, saying “the guy was very vibrant last December when he fought against his opponent.”

He, however, prayed God to give his wife and three children the fortitude to bear the loss.

“We’re trusting God will be with the family he left as we don’t pray for our boxers to leave untimely like this again.”

The Chairman of Oyo State Chapter of NBBofC, Hon. Opaleye Gbenga was short of words, when contacted, but said: “We did everything humanly possible to save his life immediately he developed the complications and was taken to UCH but we lost him eventually.”