Remembering the tragic death of former boxing world champion Alesia Graf at the age of 43
On March 25, the boxing world had to bid farewell to one of its greats, former world champion Alesia Graf, who tragically passed away at the age of 43, German newspaper BILD reported.
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Graf was one of Germany's most popular boxers and died of a still unknown cause of death.
Born Alesia Klimovich in Belarus in 1980, she moved to Germany in 1999 and adopted the name Graf after her marriage in 2002.
She began her boxing career in 2001 and quickly rose through the ranks as an amateur and professional.
She won titles from the Global Boxing Union (GBU) and the Women's International Boxing Federation (WIBF) and has been praised for her fearless fighting skills and ambition.
Graf ended her active career after her last fight in December 2019, leaving behind a lasting legacy in the world of boxing.
Graf, an outstanding boxer who fought for the Universum gym in Hamburg with promoter Klaus-Peter Kohl and manager Peter Hanraths, was held in high esteem by her colleagues and fans alike.
Regina Halmich, a close friend and well-known former world champion, expressed her consternation at the loss and recalled their time together, not only in training but also outside the ring.
Her close bond with Halmich and other colleagues was a testament to her warm personality and unconditional support for her fellow competitors.
The exact circumstances of her death are still unclear, but Graf will live on as one of the greatest female boxers of her time.
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