Rene Weller dead aged 69: Ex-Olympian, European boxing champ and one of first Sauerland signings dies after long illness
FORMER European champion boxer Rene Weller has passed away at the age of 69 after a long battle with illness.
The German was one of legendary promoter Wilfried Sauerland’s first signings.
And he went on to claim the European, German and WAA lightweight titles.
He enjoyed a 12-year professional boxing career between 1981 and 1993 – after competing at the 1976 Olympic Games.
He also looked set to fight in the 1980 Games, before a West German boycott meant he was not given the opportunity to compete.
He won the European title three years after turning pro and defended it twice.
He then suffered the only pro defeat of his career in 1986 when he was beaten by Gert Bo Jacobsen.
Weller regained the strap in 1988 and retired later that year.
He made a comeback in 1992, before hanging up his gloves again in 1994.
He never earned a world title shot.
But Wellen still finished his career with an impressive professional record of 52 wins, one defeat and two draws.
After boxing, it was reported that Wellen was working as a silversmith and clothes designer.
In 2020, German outlet Bild reported that he was suffering from dementia.