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Vanes Martirosyan, a former Olympic boxer who competed professionally in the light middleweight and middleweight divisions, has died, officials said Sunday. He was 39 years old.
The World Boxing Council announced Martirosyan’s death in a social media post.
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Vanes Martirosyan poses while training for his middleweight fight against Gennady Golovkin of Kazakhstan during a media workout at the Glendale Fighting Club on April 23, 2018 in Glendale, California. (Harry How/Getty Images)
“Vanes Martirosyan now rests in peace,” the organization wrote on Facebook. “He leaves us with a deep legacy of resilience, an inspiring warrior spirit and an unwavering love for life. Goodbye, CHAMPION!”
Martirosyan battled skin cancer for two years before his death, according to Ring magazine.
He was born in Armenia but moved to Glendale, California, when he was young. He began boxing at the age of seven and went on to become an eight-time national champion and Golden Gloves winner.
Martirosyan was able to represent Team USA at the 2004 Olympics in the welterweight division when he defeated Haitian Andre Berto in the first American Olympic Boxing Qualifying Tournament of the Amateur International Boxing Association (AIBA), now known as the International Boxing Association. He was barely 18 years old.
Vanes Martirosyan of the USA celebrates his 45-20 point victory over Benamar Meskine of Algeria following their 69kg welterweight Olympic preliminary match at the Peristeri Boxing Hall on August 15, 2004 in Athens. (JOE KLAMAR/AFP via Getty Images)
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He did not have the same success at the 2004 Olympic Games. He defeated the Algerian Benamar Meskine in the first round but lost to the Cuban Lorenzo Aragón in the second. Aragón eventually won the silver medal in the division.
Martirosyan turned professional two years later. He had marquee fights against Jermell Charlo and Gennady Golovkin. She won the first 32 professional bouts of her career before drawing with Erislandy Lara. He did not suffer his first defeat until his 35th fight against Demetrius Andrade.
In his last fight, Golovkin knocked him out in the second round.
Vanes Martirosyan (white trunks) and Ishe Smith (black trunks) box during their middleweight fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on September 12, 2015. (Joe Camporeale/USA TODAY Sports)
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“I am deeply saddened by the news of Vanes Martirosyan, who lost his battle with cancer,” WBC president Mauricio Sulaimán said in a statement. “Vanes was a proud WBC silver champion and a dear friend. My deepest condolences to his family and friends.”
