Former Three-time WBC World Super Middleweight champion Markus Beyer has tragically passed away at the age of 47 according to MDR where he worked since 2015.

Beyer reportedly died in a Berlin Hospital on Monday after a short and severe illness as the news rocked the boxing world.

“We are upset and mourn the loss of a great athlete and wonderful colleague,” said MDR program director Wolf-Dieter Jacobi. “As a member of the MDR, he has shaped his ‘boxing expertise’ in the past few years. In thought, we are with his family.”

Beyer won the first of his three WBC titles in 1999 against Richie Woodhall at the Telford Ice Rink. He lost the title the following year in what was considered an upset to Glenn Catley but would regain his title in 2003 with a win over Eric Lucas.

In 2004, he lost to Cristian Sanavia before gaining revenge to take back his beloved crown before losing a WBC and WBA unification title fight defeat to Mikkell Kessler in 2006.

Beyer, ended his career with a record of 35-3-1 (13)

“I cannot describe my feelings with words,” said Ulli Wegner, Beyer’s former coach. “Everybody knows that he was my favourite athlete, and that he had, above all, a human component.

“Markus Beyer was a thoroughly fine human being. At the moment I feel like someone hit me in the gut. I have to process all that first.”

Our thoughts and prayers are with Markus Beyer’s family and friends at this difficult time.