The trainer of Olympic boxing champion Alexander Povetkin Igor Nesterov died in Africa, the World of Boxing promotion company announced.
„We are sad to inform you that Igor Nesterov died during a combat mission.
Igor was a member of the Olympic and world champion Alexander Povetkin's team, was his strength training coach and sparring partner. And most importantly - he was one of Alexander's closest friends. His death is a great loss for the entire boxing family. On behalf of the World of Boxing promotion company, we express our deepest condolences to Igor's family and friends. Rest in peace, Bligan. Your memory will always remain with us“, reads a message on the official page of “World of Boxing“ in VK.
Povetkin reacted to Nesterov's death by making a joint post with “World of Boxing“ on social networks.
Nesterov was a long-time member of Povetkin's team. He was also the president of the “Chekhov“ Boxing Federation near Moscow.
Alexander Povetkin has 40 fights in the professional ring, winning 36 of them. He was the WBA champion in 2011-2013. As an amateur, the boxer won the Olympic Games in Athens, the World Championship (2003) and two European Championships (2002, 2004). In January, the International Anti-Doping Agency (ITA) disqualified Povetkin for four years. The athlete's 2014 sample contained the banned substance ostarine.