Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Abia State-born boxing legend, Obisia Nwankpa, is dead.
He died at the age of 75 after battling with dementia.
Ikengaonline checks revealed that the boxing icon died on June 2, but his death was announced on Thursday, June 5 by the President of the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control (NBB of C), Rafiu Ladipo.
According to Ladipo, the late boxer “gave his all” for Nigeria during his boxing career.
He added that the NBB of C will be working with the bereaved family to ensure a befitting burial is given to the late boxer.
Ladipo added that the commission will ensure that the legendary pugilist is properly immortalised.
Popularly known as Golden Gloves, Nwankpa was one of the prominent stars during the Nigerian boxing golden age in the 1970s and 1980s.
He won the Nigerian light welterweight title in 1972 after defeating Anthony Andeh, another boxing great.
Nwankpa clinched gold medals in the light welterweight category at the 1973 All-Africa Games in Lagos and the 1974 British Commonwealth Games in Christchurch, New Zealand.
He also won the African Boxing Union (ABU) lightweight championship title and was Commonwealth champion in the same category.
In 1981, Nwankpa challenged Saoul Mamby of the US for the World Boxing Council (WBC) light-welterweight title. The American fighter defeated him via split decision.
Nwankpa hung up his gloves in 1991 and became a coach, leading the Nigerian boxing team to a couple of Olympics.
