The Delta State government has vowed to unravel what led to the death of a boxer, Chukwuemeka Igboanugo, representing Imo State at the ongoing National Sports Festival in Asaba.
The boxer was said to have died after losing a fight in a knockout.
Eye witness account revealed that, “The boxer received a punch in his chin and the referee had to stop the fight when he failed to recover.”
“He was immediately taken out of the ring for medical treatment before being rushed to the hospital where he was confirmed dead.”
The commissioner for information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, confirmed the incident but could not say exactly what led to the death.
“You cannot say exactly what led to the death until an autopsy is carried out and the report known. It is unfortunate that such happened to one of the participants,” he said.
Meanwhile the mood at the camp of lmo State contingent looked suppressed owing to the calamity but the athletes have vowed to make sure they put the incident behind them.
One of the table tennis players who does not want his name mentioned said the news came to them as rude shock, considering that the boxer was an easy going man.
“He came with the intention to win gold but the unexpected has happened. We lost him but we will not allow that to weaken our spirit. We shall continue to pray for his soul and talk to our state government to assist the family considering that he died when representing the state”
Meanwhile, fight at the ring was suspended for over four hours Tuesday after the fight between Ondo and Oyo resulted in a crisis.
The referee who was accused of partiality was abused by other participants after declaring the Oyo boxer winner while others resisted the victory, stopped other fights and started to throw chairs into the ring.
It took security agents and officials hectic time to appease the rowdy athletes who insisted that the referee must be changed for being biased and partial while other activities were put on hold for hours.
