Boxing champion dies in swimming pool

The victim died in Lagos.

A boxing medalist at the just-concluded Ibile Games, Mujib Philips, died on Saturday in a swimming pool at the Mobolaji Johnson sports centre, Rowe Park in Yaba, Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that Philips died during the Boxing Hall of Fame championship event which holds every last Saturday of the month.

Philips won a gold medal at the Ibile Games, hosted by the Lagos State Government to showcase talented athletes in Local Governments Areas in the state.

The boxer was confirmed dead by the medical doctor in charge of the Lagos State Sports Council, Akin George, who also invited the state’s emergency ambulance service, LASAMBUS.

“The body of the deceased would be taken to the appropriate place for a post-mortem examination to determine the cause of his death,’’ Mr. George said.

The manager of the swimming pool, Rahaman Fadugba, said that he was not around when the boxer came to the pool.

He disclosed, however, that security guards had accosted Philips, when the medalist came to the pool side.

“I was told the security guards challenged him at the gate and he told them that he was one of the boxers for the Hall of Fame event and a Lagos State champion.

“I ordered some of the divers at the swimming pool, who then went under the water and brought his body out from the water immediately. I sent for the doctor,’’ Mr. Fadugba said

One of the divers, Idowu Ephanus, said the deceased jumped into the deepest part of the pool around 3:30 p.m. and it was later discovered that his body was not found on the water.

“We immediately jumped inside the water and brought him out and immediately invited the doctor to the sports centre who on arrival certified him dead,” Mr. Ephanus said

An eyewitness, Tobi Olayinka, told newsmen that he had discussions with Philips before he went to the pool side.

“We sat together and we were discussing about boxing generally and he said he was a champion during the Ibile Games and that he won gold.

“He said that he would like to train in a cool area such as the surrounding of the swimming pool,” Mr. Olayinka said.

NAN