World title contender Vanes Martirosyan dead at 39

The boxing world plunges into mourning at news of Vanes Martirosyan death at just 39-years-old

2004 U.S. Olympian Vanes Martirosyan has sadly passed away following a long battle with cancer aged just 39.

Vanes tragically died on November 23, 2025 after a two-year battle with skin cancer.

Armenian-born Vanes Martirosyan fought from 2005-2018 and compiled an impressive 36-5, 21 KOs professional record.

He won NABF and NABO, WBA International, WBC Silver, WBO Inter-Continental super-welterweight titles, and challenged three times for a world title.

He came agonisingly close against WBO champ Demetrius Andrade in 2013, losing via split decision. Then he was decisioned unanimously by Erislandy Lara for WBA and IBO 140lbs titles in 2016. He then famously took on Gennady Golovkin at just a few weeks notice on Cinco de Mayo 2018, for WBA (Super), WBC, and IBO middleweight titles, which was his last ever fight.

'Triple G' KO'd him in two rounds, his only ever knockout loss. He was chosen as the late replacement for Canelo Álvarez when the Mexican withdrew from the rematch in the wake of his failed drug tests for Clenbuterol.

Vanes admitted it felt like he was "being hit by a train" and received a purse of $225,000 for the fight, which peaked at 1,361,000 viewers, making it the most-watched boxing match on cable television in 2018.

Vanes was born on May 1, 1986, in Abovyan, Armenia. His father, Norik Martirosyan, was an amateur boxer in Armenia who worked for an industrial company and was also in the army. Vanes had two brothers, one older and one younger, and a sister.

His family moved to Glendale, California when he was four years old. He started boxing when he was seven, after his father found a gym in Glendale.

Martirosyan was taken out of junior high school by his dad and became home-schooled once it had become clear that he needed to keep his son's fighting confined to the ring.

The decision was a sound one, as he became an eight-time National Champion and Golden Gloves Champion.

In 2004, after winning against Haiti's Andre Berto in the 1st AIBA American 2004 Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Tijuana, Mexico, Martirosyan secured a spot in the U.S. Olympic Team. He represented the United States at the Athens 2004 Olympics as a welterweight at age 18, on the same Olympic team as Andre Ward and Andre Dirrell.

Martitosyan lost in the second round to Aragon Armenteros, who was 12 years his senior.

He finished his amateur career with 120 wins and 10 losses, with notable scalps over Austin Trout (three times), Andre Berto, and Timothy Bradley.

At the age of 20, Martirosyan turned professional at 154 pounds with Bob Arum's Top Rank. Vanes was managed by his uncle, Serge Martirosyan, and co-managed by Shelly Finkel.

Vanes was trained by Freddie Roach, who was voted 2003 and 2006 Trainer of the Year by the Boxing Writers Association of America, working alongside Manny Pacquiao and Julio César Chávez, Jr. Martirosyan also worked with Ronnie Shields.

His longtime friend, Roma Kalantaryan, was with him during his final days and said, “It’s incredibly tragic to say that he’s not here with us anymore. He tried everything and even went to Mexico to get treatment, but it was really hard for him over the last six months. Vanes understood that he was running out of time the last time that I saw him."

Martirosyan is survived by his wife Gaby Tsao, son Andrew, and daughter Arianna.

GBN would like to express their deepest condolences to Vanes' family and friends at this difficult time.