Bulgarian boxer Boris Stanchov has died while fighting under his cousin Isus Velichkov's licence, having collapsed during the fifth round while going up against Ardit Murja at a show in Albania this weekend.
Initial reports suggested it was Velichkov who had passed away, but it later transpired that it was in fact his cousin, who had been using Velichkov's boxing licence.
According to Bad Left Hook, Stanchov stumbled back and collapsed in a delayed reaction following a jab, and reportedly died of a heart attack, suggesting that he had an existent medical condition before stepping into the ring.
Dr. Geno Pinary, who gave the boxer first aid, reportedly said: "The boxer, as confirmed a little later by the doctors at Shkodran Hospital, lost his life to a heart attack."
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Bad Left Hook reports that Stanchov had been fighting under Velichkov's name for the past year - a revelation that only came when Velichkov stepped forward to explain what had happened.
According to reports in Bulgaria, he said: "He has been playing with my card since 2018. He said no problem, the coach knows."
Even the World Boxing Council had been none the wiser, having released a statement on its website that paid tribute to Velichkov.
The full statement said: "The World Boxing Council and its President Mauricio Sulaiman, lament the death of 21-year-old Bulgarian fighter Isus Velichkov.
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"Although the ring doctors did their best to save his life, the death was almost immediate.
"The entire WBC joins Velichkov's family at this very sad time, in deepest sorrow."
According to Bulgarian news site Top Sport, Stanchov had trained at the Shaitan Boxing Club in Novi Iska, western Bulgaria, seven months previously, before quitting to box at another club with another manager.
He had played eight games, with five losses and three wins.
He apparently wanted to fight under a different identity to ensure he had no losses against his name.
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Stanchov's parents, Simeonka and Alexander Stanchov, who learned of their son's death from his manager, said he was healthy and had no problems.
Bulgarian sports minister Krasen Kralev said there would be a full investigation into what happened.
He said: "We cannot comment, but the incident has happened. It is much more the responsibility of doctors and promoters who go about organizing such competitions."
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