Tributes pour in for unbeaten former world champion boxer Michael Lowe, dead at 57

Tributes pour in for unbeaten former world champion boxer-turned-rally driver Mihai Leu aka Michael Lowe

Tributes have poured in following the tragic news that Romanian boxer Mihai Leu, also known as Michael Lowe, has died at the young age of 57.

"Lion" Leu was a Romanian boxing world champion who later forged a career as a rally driver.

Bild reported that Leu sadly died on July 1, 2025, in Bucharest, Romania following a battle with cancer.

He was unbeaten across 28 professional fights as a boxer between 1991 and 1997, scoring 10 knockouts.

As an amateur he won the 1987 World Junior Championships in Havana. He first took up boxing in 1977, aged nine, and won the national championship four years in a row: 1983-1986.

He moved to Steaua Bucharest to become part of the national team, winning the worlds, and retired with a record of 190-10.

In February 1997, he defeated Santiago Samaniego to become the WBO welterweight world champion.

He then successfully defended his crown in September of that year, defeating Ireland's Michael Carruth.

However, he called it quits on his career and retired as one of only three undefeated European world champions at the time, after American Jack McAuliffe and Briton Terry Marsh.

A hand injury suffered in his last fight forced him to abandon boxing altogether. He had fought all 28 bouts either in Germany or Austria.

But refusing to give up on sports entirely, he remarkably switched careers to become a rally car driver full-time, having made his debut in 1994.

And within three years of starting full-time in 1997, Leu became Romania's rally vice-champion.

Six years later, in 2003, he became his nation's national champion.

He eventually gave up pro racing in 2008 but did return as a team manager in 2010.

In 2014, he survived a fight with colon cancer following surgery in Bucharest and further treatment in Vienna.

But sadly he succumbed to the disease a decade later. He is survived by his loving wife, Anna, and son Marco.

The President of Romania, Nicusor Dan, paid tribute on social media to his country's beloved boxer. He said: "I learned with deep sadness the news of Mihai Leu's passing.

"Romania loses not only an exceptional champion with an impressive record in sports but also an honourable man who inspired through courage, passion, and integrity.

"His public presence was always synonymous with uprightness and respect for authentic values.

"He will remain in our memory as a true legend and a benchmark for what dignity means in sports and in life.

"I extend my sincere condolences to his family and all those close to him."

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania added: "Romania has lost a tenacious athlete who will forever remain a legend of the ring.

"Mihai Leu, our first world champion in professional boxing, has passed away. Thank you for everything you gave to Romanian sports. Rest in peace, champion!"

GBN would also like to offer sincere condolences to Anna, Marco, and all of Mihai's family and friends.