Turkey's First Professional Boxer Zakaryan Dies At 90

Armenian Turkish athlete known as 'iron fist' during his 22 year career, decorated with local, amateur titles.

Turkey's first professional boxer Garbis Zakaryan died on Sunday at the age of 90, the boxing federation said.
The Armenian-Turkish athlete is fondly remembered by his fans as "iron fist".
A staunch patriot, Zakaryan told Turkish daily Hurriyet in a 2013 interview that he wanted his coffin to be wrapped with the Turkish flag.
He became a professional player at the age of 24 and in a career which spanned over 22 years won many local and amateur titles.
He will be buried in Istanbul's Sisli Armenian Cemetery on Jan. 29 after a funeral ceremony at the Armenian church. -