Trainer of boxing world champion who fought Anthony Joshua & Wladimir Klitschko ‘killed in military operation in Africa’

IGOR NESTEROV, the trainer of former boxing world and Olympic champion Alexander Povetkin, has been killed in a combat operation, according to World of Boxing Promotions.

A statement from the organisation revealed the news of Nesterov’s death on Wednesday.

Shutterstock EditorialThe trainer of Alexander Povetkin, Igor Nesterov, has been killed in a combat operation[/caption]

ReutersPovetkin previously fought the likes of Anthony Joshua and was a heavyweight world champion[/caption]

While the full details of his death were not provided, according to VKontakte, Povetkin himself said that he had been killed in an African country.

Nesterov was in Povetkin’s team as a strength training coach and sparring partner as he won super-heavyweight gold at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.

As one of the 45-year-old’s closest friends, Nesterov also saw Povetkin become the WBA (2011-2013) and WBC interim (2020-21) world champion.

Povetkin was also a gold medal winner at the World Championships in 2003 and two European Championship titles in 2002 and 2004.

The statement said: “We regret to inform you that Igor Nesterov died during the execution of a combat mission…

“The passing of Igor Nesterov is a great loss for the entire boxing family. It is hard and bitter to realize that he is no longer with us.

“On behalf of the promotion company ‘World of Boxing’, we express our deep condolences to the family and friends of Igor.

“Rest In Peace Boar… Your memory will always remain with us.”

Povetkin and Nesterov had known one another since 1998.

The Russian had previously participated in a military operation in Ukraine.

As reported by RIA Novosti, Povetkin said of his friend: “Igor Anatolyevich Nesterov, unfortunately, died.

“In one of the African countries. Previously, he participated in the SVO, and then went there.

“I have known him since 1998. Igor was a devoted friend and patriot of our country.”

Povetkin has also fought against the likes of Wladimir Klitschko, Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte.

He was defeated in single title bouts by Klitschko and AJ.

Meanwhile, he had beaten Whyte during their first meeting in 2020 to win the interim WBC heavyweight title before losing in 2021 to Whyte in what was his final fight before retirement.

However, earlier this year it was revealed Povetkin has been serving a four-year ban for doping, which has cost him a DECADE of fight results.

He was slapped with the sanction after it was discovered he’d failed a drug test back in October 2014.

An investigation by the International Testing Agency into systemic doping in Russian sports discovered a sample returned by Povetkin after his clash with Carlos Takam came back positive for Ostarine.

But he continued boxing as the positive sample, which was retrieved from the Moscow Laboratory by the World Anti-Doping Agency, went UNREPORTED.

Povetkin tested positive for Ostarine and Meladonium – the drug at the centre of Maria Sharapova‘s doping scandal – in 2016 and was hit with a one-year ban.

But the uncovering of his failed test in 2014 has seen him handed a four-year sanction.

An ITA statement read: “After being notified of the case and informed of his procedural rights, the athlete decided not to challenge the anti-doping rule violation.

“Povetkin’s ban came into effect on October 21 2024 and will be in force until October 20 2028.

“In addition, the athlete’s results from October 25 2014 until the start of the athlete’s provisional suspension on October 21 2024 have been disqualified.

Including the results obtained during a boxing match held on the night of October 24/25 2014.”

The wiping out of a decade’s worth of wins for Povetkin has seen his triumphs over Brits Hughie Fury, David Price and Whyte overturned to No Contests.

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