The celebrated Nigerian boxing legend and sports icon, late Obisia Nwankpa prepares for his final resting place.
According to a release made available by the family to www.newsmirrirng.com..
* SATURDAY 6TH DECEMBER, 2025:
Service of Songs in Ogun State//Time: 1pm
* FRIDAY 12TH DECEMBER, 2025:
Body leaves mortuary by 8am, to his hometown Okpulukwu Umuosu Nsulu, Isialangwa North Abia State
Funeral Service by Brotherhood of the Cross and Star by 10am
Interment follows immediately by 12 noon
Late Obisia Nwankpa, ” Gold Gloves, was born on 14th June 1949, he departed this world on June 2, 2025 at the age of 76, after a long and painful battle with Parkinson’s disease, stroke and dementia.
The loss of this illustrious son of Abia State is not just a personal tragedy to his family but a monumental blow to the entire sporting world.
For more than four decades, Obisia Nwankpa proudly hoisted the flag of Imo, Abia and Nigeria on the global stage.
Here below is a concise outline of Obisia Nwakpa’s medals, titles, and notable career achievements:
Amateur medals
Gold – All-Africa Games (Lagos 1973), Light-Welterweight (–63.5 kg) — beat Isaka Daboré of Niger in the final.
Gold – British Commonwealth Games (Christchurch 1974),
Light-Welterweight (–63.5 kg) — beat Anthony Martey of Ghana in the final.
Olympian – Munich 1972, Light-Welterweight
Professional titles & milestones
Nigerian Lightweight Champion (national title)
African Boxing Union (ABU), Light-Welterweight Champion.
Commonwealth (British Empire) Lightweight / Super-Lightweight Champion.
He defeated Clinton McKenzie on points in Lagos (4–5 July 1980) in a 15-rounder for the Commonwealth super-lightweight crown.
World title challenger — WBC
Light-Welterweight vs Saoul Mamby (Lagos; early 1980s).
Pro record: 29 fights — 23 wins (16 KOs), 6 losses.
Coaching & national service:
Head Coach, Team Nigeria (Boxing). Led Nigeria’s boxing team to Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008 Olympic Games; widely credited with mentoring a new generation of Nigerian boxers.
Honours & recognition (selected)
Widely celebrated as one of Nigeria’s greatest pugilists of the 1970s–80s; tributes on his passing in June 2025 highlighted his dual impact as champion fighter and national coach.
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