A once promising super middleweight prospect was found dead over the holiday season.
BoxingScene.com is saddened to report the untimely passing of Cem Kilic, a Turkish boxer who died at just 29 years of age. An apparent drug overdose was the cause, as Kilic battled substance addiction and mental health issues for several years.
“We have learned the news of the death of one of our former national boxers,” Eyup Gozgec, president of the Turkish Boxing Federation, announced on Friday. “We wish patience to the grieving relatives. Rest in peace.”
Kilic was born on June 6, 1994 in Neustadt, Germany. He relocated to the U.S. at age 19, where he trained in the greater Los Angeles area and resided in Sherman Oaks, California. The move coincided with his December 2014 pro debut in Glendale, California.
The rise through the ranks included a Showtime-televised points win over DeAndre Ware when both were unbeaten prospects during the September 2018 clash. Kilic added an eighth-round stoppage of Martez McGregor (8-1 at the time) on the June 2019 Tyson Fury-Tom Schwarz ESPN+ undercard to run his record to 14-0.
His lone loss came in his next fight, an eighth-round stoppage to Terence Crawford stablemate Steven ‘So Cold’ Nelson in January 2020, just ahead of the global pandemic. Three wins followed, though none since last August when he outpointed Marco Delgado over eight rounds in what represented the final fight of his career.
Kilic ended his career with a record of 17-1 (11KOs).
The news caught the industry completely off guard, particularly the lives he touched upon relocating to the U.S. from Germany. Among those devastated by the news was Shane Shapiro, a rising boxing manager whose first client was Kilic.
“Never thought I would be writing something like this right now,” said Shapiro. “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.”
The staff at Wild Card Boxing Club, where Kilic frequented, also offered a tribute to the fallen boxer.
“We so very deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Cem Kilic,” said the establishment in a statement through its verified Instagram account. “Gone far too soon. Our condolences to the Kilic family and to all those affected by his passing. Rest in peace, Cem. You will be greatly missed.”
Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. X (formerly Twitter): @JakeNDaBox