Support The Moscow Times!

Russian Boxing Champion Limonov Killed

Russian boxing champion Maxim Limonov died after being shot.

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.

See also:

Moped 'Killer' Shot Wrong Person, Report Says

Sign up for our free weekly newsletter

Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysiss and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview
Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy

A Message from The Moscow Times:

Dear readers,

We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."

These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.

By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.

Once
Monthly
Annual
Continue
paiment methods
Not ready to support today?
Remind me later.

Read more