Abdulazeez Abdulwahab
FORMER Nigerian boxer, Jeremiah ‘Jerry’ Okorodudu has reportedly passed away after battling a foot ulcer.
His wife, Adenike Okorodudu, confirmed the unfortunate news on Wednesday night.
Jerry, who competed in the men’s middleweight event at the 1984 Summer Olympics, died at a private hospital in Lawanson, Lagos.
Confirming his death to newstap.com.ng, his wife, Mrs. Adenike Okorodudu noted that his condition worsened Wednesday afternoon and all efforts by the Doctors to revive him proved abortive.
It would be recalled that the family of the ex-Olympian last week sent a ‘Save Our Soul’ message to Nigerians appealing for financial help as their breadwinner was being sent out of the Lawanson, Lagos private hospital where he is receiving treatment due to the non-availability of funds to take care of his medication and settle his accumulated medical bills.
Prior to that, Okorodudu had earlier pleaded with sports-loving Nigerians not to watch him die a painful and agonizing death.
It will be recalled that the Sports Ministry terminated the once flamboyant boxer’s appointment as assistant boxing coach before his predicament began.
The immediate past Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Sunday Dare failed to fulfil his promise of reinstating the ex -flamboyant middleweight boxing champion in the Ministry and at a time directed former African queen of the tracks, Mary Onyeali- Omagbemi to close up on Jerry’s situation but nothing came out if it and Jerry before his death, lamented that there was no word from Dare or Onyeali.
Remi Aboderin, the Secretary-General, Nigeria Boxing Board of Control and the President, West Africa Boxing Union, also confirmed the Olympian’s demise.
He said, “It is true about his death. I just confirmed it after you called me and I reached out to some colleagues. Unfortunately, he died this way, and I am actually lost for words. May his soul rest in peace,” he said.
Eighteen-Eleven Media had on 14th June 2023 reported the pitiable state of the former boxer and his cry for financial assistance. See story below
Don’t Watch Me Die, Ex-Nigerian Boxer, Okorodudu, Cries Out https://eighteenelevenmedia.com/dont-watch-me-die-ex-nigerian-boxer-okorodudu-cries-out/
Eighteen-Eleven Media