Boxing Mourns the Death of Former World Champion Rufat Riskiyev

The boxing world is mourning the passing of Rufat Riskiyev, who died at the age of 76 from causes that have not been disclosed. IBA President Umar Kremlev paid tribute to him as follows: “Rufat Asadovich Riskiyev has left us: a legendary boxer whose name is written in gold in the history of Soviet and Uzbek sports. He was one of the best middleweights of his era, embodying courage and an indomitable will.”

“He was an idol and a role model for many. His legacy will live on in the hearts of millions of boxing fans and through his students. May the memory of this great champion live on forever.”

This is the message from IBA Secretary General and CEO Chris Roberts OBE: “Rufat Riskiyev was a leading figure of an extraordinary generation. His gold medal victory at the first World Championships in 1974 secured him a permanent place in boxing history. His influence extended far beyond his years in the ring, as he continued to pass on his invaluable experience and values to younger generations. We mourn his passing and extend our deepest condolences to his family and friends.”

In 1974, Riskiyev won the gold medal in the middleweight division at the first World Boxing Championships, and the Olympic final in the -75 kg division at the 1976 Montreal Games made him even more famous.

The champion represented the USSR and faced Michael Spinks of Team USA. Riskiyev’s victory seemed a foregone conclusion: he entered the bout as the reigning world champion, facing a 19-year-old Spinks in his first Olympics, and had already defeated the American in a match held in Tashkent in early 1976. The final, however, had a surprising outcome: Spinks won by referee stoppage in the third round, claiming the gold.