Turkish former world boxing champion dies at 41

Sinan Şamil Sam, World Intercontinental Heavyweight boxing champion, died aged 41 of liver failure early Friday.

The ex-boxer passed away at 01:30 in the intensive care unit at Marmara University's Research hospital. He was admitted to the intensive care unit several days ago, after he was diagnosed with a combination of kidney and liver failure.

He was admitted to Marmara University's Research hospital from Sancaktepe Via Hospital on Tuesday on the orders of Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu.

Born June 24, 1974 in Germany, Sam, known as "The Bull of the Bosphorus," was crowned as the Turkish champion nine times.

In 1992, Sam won the Junior World Championship, held in Montreal, in the light heavyweight disivion.

In 1999, he was awarded with a gold medal in the World Championships in the divison of Super Heavyweight, in Houston. He became a professional boxer in 2000.

He held the European championship for two consecutive years, 2002 and 2003. He managed to put boxing champion belt in EBU, World Boxing Council and the WBC Mediterranean in the heavyweight division for the next two years. Sam won 31 of his 35 fights and landed 16 knockouts in his rounds.

Funeral services will be held for Sam in the Turkish capital, Ankara, on Saturday.