Ex German boxing champion dies

Former German boxing star René Weller has died at the age of 69, his wife announced on Tuesday, reported dpa.

"Hand in hand and in my arms you left me peacefully at 5:50 pm (1550 GMT) today at home," Maria Weller wrote on their joint Instagram account.

"I give thanks for the beautiful life and our uniquely great love. No one can replace you, because no one can be like you! You fought like a lion, but unfortunately lost your last fight."

Weller, who lived in his hometown of Pforzheim in south-west Germany, had been suffering from dementia since 2014.

Weller won his first West German title as a bantamweight in 1972, followed by four more titles in the featherweight division.

He represented West Germany as a featherweight at the 1976 Montreal Olympic Game, before turning professional in 1981.

With a professional record of 51 wins, he lost his only pro bout to Danish boxer Gert Bo Jacobsen. In 1983 and 1988, Weller won the European lightweight title.

Known as "Der schöne René" (The beautiful René), Weller was sentenced to seven years imprisonment due to cocaine dealing and dealing in stolen goods and forgery in 1999, but was released in 2003.

After his release, Weller tried his hand as an actor, musician, boxing coach and starred in numerous reality television shows in Germany.