FORMER light heavyweight boxing champion and TV star Vyacheslav Uzelkov has died at the age of 45.

Reports in your native language Ukrainian claims the former fighter passed away after recovering from heart surgery.

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Uzelkov was once one of the best boxers in the ring, winning 30 of his 34 fights while recording 19 knockouts.

He was a former WBA Inter-Continental, IBO International and WBO Inter-Continental light heavyweight champion.

Nicknamed the ‘Force of Steel’, Uzelkov took office in 2004 and retired ten years later.

After leaving the ring, Uzelkov started a new career as a TV presenter in his hometown.

Reportedly taking part in a dance show during his boxing days, he became a judge in the Ukrainian version. Britain’s Got Talent.

In 2020, Uzelkov had a brief stay in politics after running for mayor of Vinnytsia, a city in central Ukraine.

However, he went under the knife earlier this year for heart surgery.

Uzelkov was recovering from surgery when he passed away.

And a statement from the Ukrainian boxing federation paid tribute to him online.

It read: “Ukrainian boxing has suffered a heavy loss – Vyacheslav Uzelkov has passed away.

“His name will forever remain in sports history and his example of strength, endurance and dedication will inspire future generations.”

Fans also paid tribute on social media.

One said: “Thoughts of his family, friends and the boxers who looked up to him.”

Another added: “Rest in peace.”