Ex-Champ Maks Limonov, 25, Shot To Death in Russia

By Alexey Sukachev

Another undefeated boxer ended his days last night due to tragic circumstances. Former Russian middleweight champion Maksim “The Pitbull” Limonov (16-0, 8 KOs) was shot to death in his hometown of Prokopyevsk, Russia. Limonov parked his Mercedes near some apartments and opened the door, when several shots were fired by an unknown killer.

Two head wounds were fatal for once a promising boxing prospect. Limonov’s girlfriend was left unharmed at the scene of crime and called the police right after the murder.

“This is a very sad end to his days, indeed… but knowing him and the life he lived… this final, this fatal incident is understandable”, said Russian cruiserweight stalwart Grigoriy Drozd, also from Prokopyevsk.

“I know he had been shot a year or two ago. This was the way he lived, that was his earthly road. He was a good boxer and not a bad guy, who made some wrong choices. I want to address my deepest condolences to his natives and family”.

Limonov was earlier convicted for "robbery" and "intentional infliction of moderate bodily harm" and “use of violence against a public official”. He started his pro career in 2007 at the age of 18 and went undefeated over four years. Limonov fought twice overseas, stopping 11-4 Skyler Thompson in three (2009) and getting a hard-fought split decision over 15-5 Julius Fogle (2010). He scored by far his best win in May 2011, outpointing rugged Karen Avetisyan over ten for a vacant Russian middleweight title. He was never seen in the ring again.

“I’ve trained with Maks, we had mutual camps and competed in the same tourneys”, said fringe featherweight contender Vyacheslav Gusev. “We got acquainted in 2009 while in the States. He was a straight guy, very down-to-earth and very modest. He lost his father two years ago and that loss broke him mentally. He quit the sport and he has never been the same again”.