Vanes Martirosyan Dies at 39 After Battle With Cancer

From Armenia to Glendale: A Dream Built on Discipline

Born May 1, 1986, in Yerevan, Armenia, Martirosyan moved to Glendale, California, where he developed a massive Armenian-American fan base. A standout amateur with a reported 120–10 record, he defeated future champions Timothy Bradley Jr., Austin Trout, and Andre Berto before representing the United States at the 2004 Olympic Games.

He turned professional the following year after signing with Top Rank, beginning a career that would take him to HBO, Showtime, and ESPN over 13 memorable years.

A Career Built on Heart and High-Level Competition

Undefeated in his first 34 fights, Martirosyan lived up to his nickname “The Nightmare” with an aggressive, crowd-pleasing style. His résumé includes notable victories over Kassim Ouma, Willie Nelson, and Ishe Smith. He fought some of the most avoided fighters of his era, often taking high-risk bouts that defined his career.

His fights with Erislandy Lara were among the most closely contested of his era first a technical draw in 2012, then a decision loss in 2016.  He also dropped Demetrius Andrade in their 2013 meeting and pushed Jermell Charlo to the brink in a razor-thin 2015 loss.

Martirosyan worked with some of boxing’s most respected trainers  Freddie Roach, Ronnie Shields, Joe Goossen, Edmond Tarverdyan, and Roma Kalantaryan and was promoted at different points by Al Haymon, Don King, Dan Goossen, and Shelly Finkel.

A Fight Outside the Ring

Those close to Martirosyan said he fought his cancer with the same grit he brought to the ring.

Roma Kalantaryan, a lifelong friend and former trainer, was by his side when doctors told Martirosyan he had only days remaining.

“He was fighting for his life like the champion he was,” Kalantaryan told The Ring. “He tried everything … but it was really hard for him over the last six months. Vanes had a heart of gold. I wish that he rests in eternal peace.”

WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman, who arranged for Pope Francis to bless Martirosyan at the Vatican in 2024, offered condolences:

“I’m deeply saddened … Vanes was a proud WBC silver champion and a dear friend.”

A Family Man Above All

Martirosyan is survived by his wife, Gaby Tsao, and their children, Andrew and Arianna.

In a heartbreaking statement, Tsao reflected on the man behind the gloves:

“Today our hearts are shattered. We are losing an incredible man a loving husband, a devoted father, a kind soul … The emptiness he leaves behind is something we will feel forever.”

“Baby, you were an amazing husband and father, and we will carry your love with us for the rest of our lives.”

A Legacy That Lives On

Vanes Martirosyan’s career was marked by toughness, humility, and a willingness to fight anyone. But beyond the statistics, he was remembered as a gentle, genuine presence a man who smiled through adversity and kept fighting until the very end.

He will be missed deeply by the boxing community, by Armenian and American fans, and by all who knew him.

Rest in peace, Vanes “The Nightmare” Martirosyan.