Boxe once scheduled to fight Tyson Fury dies 'suddenly' at 40 as tributes pour in

12:39, Mon, Oct 19, 2026 Updated: 15:04, Mon, Oct 19, 2026

Denis Boytsov has tragically died at the age of 40. (Image: Getty Images)

A boxer who was once scheduled to face Tyson Fury has tragically passed away aged 40, with his father revealing the distressing circumstances of his final moments with his family by his side. Russian star Denis Boytsov sustained catastrophic injuries following an assault on a Berlin underground train 11 years ago. His passing has been announced by his father, Nicolai, who confirmed that he died unexpectedly at home, with medical professionals powerless to intervene.

Speaking to Russian news agency TASS, he said: "A blood clot broke off. There was nothing they could do; it was instant death. Three minutes and that was it. This happened at home. His wife fed him and started turning him to the side. He suddenly broke down, started shaking, turned blue. And his whole life was over."

Boytsov had been due to meet Fury in December 2012, before withdrawing from the bout. He held the position of second-ranked heavyweight prior to the 2015 assault which ended his professional career.

He lost the ability to speak and required full-time family care following severe head trauma and a seven-week medically induced coma in hospital. Throughout that period, he shed 70Kg as he could not move independently or consume food without tube feeding.

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His brother Maxim had previously provided an update regarding his condition. "No, we didn't communicate," he said. "He just nodded yes and no. But he understood everything. I courted him for ten years. But it didn't work out."

Denis Boytsov during a heavyweight fight at Ewe Arena on December 6, 2014. (Image: Getty Images)

Speaking previously in 2023, former British heavyweight David Price singled out Boytsov. "I sparred a Russian called Denis Boytsov in Germany once," he recalled.

"He only hit the top of my head, but he was a powerful puncher.

"I think he got his career cut short, he couldn't fight again. But I remember him being a really powerful puncher."