Former Russian boxing champion Maxim Limonov died on Tuesday after being shot from close range by an unknown assailant.
Limonov was shot in the face as he was getting out of his Mercedes upon returning home, ITAR-Tass reported Tuesday citing Kemerovo region prosecutors, who did not name the boxer in their own online statement.
Limonov's girlfriend, who was at his side at the time of the attack, did not suffer any injuries, the report said.
A criminal case has been opened on charges of murder following the incident, regional prosecutors said in the statement.
Limonov, 25, was named middleweight champion of Russia in 2011 after defeating opponent Karen Avetisyan on points. During his career, he won 16 professional fights — eight by knockout — and suffered no defeats, news agency ITAR-Tass reported.
The boxer had previously experienced several of his own run-ins with the law, including convictions for robbery, violence against a public official, and infliction of moderate bodily harm.
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