Boxer Tragically Dies Days After He Fell Into Coma Following Brutal Knockout During Match

• Arrest Sahakyan suffered serious brain injuries during his bout against Igor Semernin in Tolyatti on Boxing Day
• He was subsequently rushed to hospital where he underwent surgery but sadly passed away after a 10-day coma
• His death was confirmed by a relative on Instagram in an impassioned tribute that mourned Sahakyan as a "sincere person"
• The 26-year-old fought professionally nine times - winning six of his bouts

Russian boxer Arrest Sahakyan has tragically died aged just 26 days after spending 10 days in a coma.

Sahakyan is understood to have been rushed to hospital after he was defeated by a knockout on Sunday, December 26.

The Sun reports the boxing star suffered a swell on his brain, with the condition leaving him with no choice but to undergo surgery.

However, after spending 10 days in a coma, the 26-year-old tragically passed away on Friday, January 7.

The unfortunate news was confirmed by his relative, Svetlana Petrosyan, who took to social media to announce Sahakyan's death in an impassioned tribute.

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"How … how to continue to live … Our soul … our joy … My heart is torn to pieces …I don't believe … it's like a bad dream," Petrosyan posted on Instagram.

"We loved you very much .. very .. our dear. You were the kindest, most cheerful, wonderful, sincere person," she added.

According to Petrosyan, Sahakyan, an Armenian-Russian boxer, will be buried in Yerevan, Armenia.

However, his funeral is expected to take place in Tolyatti, Samarra in Russia, on Tuesday, January 11.

A super middleweight champion, Sahakyan fought professionally nine times - winning six of the bouts.

Salima Mukansanga becomes AFCON's first ever female referee

Earlier, Sports Brief reported Salima Mukansanga was among 63 match officials selected to officiate the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.

The list features three other females including Carine Atemzabong, Fatiha Jermoumi of Morocco, and Bouchra Karboubi.

However, only Mukansanga has been afforded the rare opportunity of officiating matches as a centre referee.

This will make her the first-ever female match official to officiate a major men's football tournament in Africa.