Former title challenger Vanes Martirosyan passed away Sunday at the age of 39 after a two-year battle with skin cancer.

Martirosyan (36-4-1, 21 KOs) shared the ring with the likes of Erislandy Lara twice, Demetrius Andrade, and Jermell Charlo as a junior middleweight contender and retired after suffering a stoppage loss against middleweight champion Gennadiy Golovkin in 2018. Martirosyan’s notable wins came against the likes of Kassim Ouma, Willie Nelson, and Ishe Smith in a professional career that spanned more than 13 years.

Martirosyan was born on May 1, 1986, in Yerevan, Armenia, and grew up in Glendale, California, where he sported a sizable Armenian fan base. Martirosyan was a touted amateur prospect who represented the United States at the 2004 Olympics and turned professional in 2005 after signing a promotional deal with Top Rank Boxing.

Martirosyan lived up to his nickname of “The Nightmare” and was in highly competitive clashes with some of the best contemporaries of his era in fights that aired on HBO and Showtime. He was trained by the likes of Freddie Roach, Ronnie Shields, Joe Goossen, Edmond Tarverdyan, and Roma Kalantaryan.

Kalantaryan, a lifelong friend and confidant who now trains Bakhram Murtazaliev, was at Martirosyan’s bedside Thursday in Los Angeles when doctors said that Martirosyan had just a handful of days left to live.

“He was fighting for his life like the champion he was,” Kalantaryan told The Ring. “It’s incredibly tragic to say that he’s not here with us anymore. He tried everything and even went to Mexico to get treatment, but it was really hard for him over the last six months. Vanes understood that he was running out of time the last time that I saw him.

"He asked that I look out for his family, we thanked each other for everything, and said our goodbyes. Vanes was such an amazing person with a heart of gold. I wish that he rest in eternal peace.”

Martirosyan is survived by his wife Gaby Tsao, son Andrew, and daughter Arianna.

“Today our hearts are shattered," said Tsao. "We are losing an incredible man – a loving husband, a devoted father, a kind soul, and someone who left a mark on everyone who ever met him.

“Those who knew Vanes know how special he was, how big his heart was, and how deeply he loved. The emptiness he leaves behind is something we will feel forever. We love him so much, and we are going to miss him in ways words can’t explain.

"It won’t be easy, but we hold on to the thought that he is going to a better place, where there is no more pain or suffering. A place of peace. Please keep him in your prayers so his spirit can rest gently and peacefully.

“Baby, you were an amazing husband and father, and we will carry your love with us for the rest of our lives.”