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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.
The World Boxing Council announced Martirosyan’s death in a post on social media.
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Vanes Martirosyan poses while training for his middleweight fight against Gennady Golovkin of Kazakhstan during a media training session at 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 a deep legacy of resilience, an inspiring warrior spirit and an unwavering love of life. Farewell, CHAMP!”
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 started 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 Haiti’s Andre Berto in the first Association Internationale de Boxe Amateur (AIBA), now known as the International Boxing Association, American Olympic Boxing Qualifying Tournament. He was only 18.
Vanes Martirosyan, of the United States, celebrates his 45-20 points victory over Benamar Meskine of Algeria after their opening 69 kg Olympic welterweight bout 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 Olympics. He defeated Algeria’s Benamar Meskine in the first round, but lost to Cuba’s Lorenzo Aragón in the second. Aragón eventually won the silver medal in the division.
Martirosyan turned professional two years later. He had highlight fights against Jermell Charlo and Gennady Golovkin. He won the first 32 pro fights of his career before drawing with Erislandy Lara. He did not suffer his first loss until fight #35 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 bout 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 Sulaiman said in a statement. “Vanes was a proud WBC Silver Champion and a dear friend. My sincere condolences to his family and friends.”
