A host of tributes have poured in for the Turkish star, who had appeared on the undercard of Tyson Fury’s victory over Tom Schwarz back in June 2019.

1

Eyup Gozgec, president of the Turkish Boxing Federation, announced on Friday: “We have learned the news of the death of one of our former national boxers.

“We wish patience to the grieving relatives. Rest in peace.”

Kilic’s former manager, Shane Shapiro, added: “Never thought I would be writing something like this right now.

“I am in shock. RIP Cem Kilic, the first fighter that took a chance on me, someone who moved from Germany to Los Angeles, lived with me 7 years and was part of my family. Those who know, know.

“Me and Cem were always side by side… we had so many highs and lows, and didn’t always see eye to eye, but the memories we made together will never fade.

“You will always be remembered… RIP ‘Champ’ Cem Kilic. We went to war together.”

Kilic was born on June 6, 1994 in Neustadt, Germany but relocated to America at the age of 19 to train in LA.

He made his pro debut in 2014 and he produced an eighth-round stoppage of Martez McGregor at that Fury vs Schwarz event.

However, he suffered his lone loss came in his next fight, which was an eighth-round stoppage to Terence Crawford’s stablemate Steven Nelson in January 2020.

Kilic bounced back with three successive victories and ended his career with a 17-1 (11KOs) record.