Russian boxer dies after collapsing in ring

Moscow, Dec 9 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Russian light heavyweight boxer Roman Simakov, who collapsed in the ring Monday during a title defence bout, has died of brain injuries at a hospital.

The 27-year-old Simakov collapsed a minute into the seventh round after enduring a torrent of punches from Sergei Kovalev.

“He immediately fell into a coma from which he never emerged”, said Igor Maruzov, general secretary of the Russian Boxing Federation.

Maruzov did not say whether anyone would be held accountable over the death, but said a probe had begun.

“I can only comment on the situation after the official investigation, which will evaluate the actions of the referee and the medical treatment the athlete received later,” he said Thursday.

Simakov, with a career record of 19 victories, one defeat and one tie, was defending his WBC Asian Boxing Council belt against the US-based Kovalev.