Araik Marutjan wins in memory of boxing legend Michael Timm!

Araik Marutjan wins in memory of boxing legend Michael Timm!

On December 6, 2025, an emotional memorial tournament in honor of the late trainer and boxer Michael Timm took place in the Palmberg Arena in Schwerin. The evening attracted around 1,500 boxing fans who gathered to remember Timm, a central part of German boxing, who died of cancer in September at just 62.

Araik Marutjan, a former protégé of Timm, returned after a two-year break from wrestling and dedicated his victory to the late coach. Marutjan, who won silver at the European Championships in 2013 as well as bronze at the World Championships and won the Olympics in 2016, prevailed in the fight against the Hungarian boxer Gyorgy Mizsei. Mizsei, who had had little luck recently with 23 defeats and one draw, was counted out shortly before the end of the third round.

A legacy of boxing

The event was attended by many of Timm's former boxers and companions, including Jürgen Brähmer, who played a key role in organizing the event. He commented on Marutjan's good performance and pointed out that more fights are needed to assess his current status. Among the spectators were Timm's daughters Julia and Isabell, as well as other well-known boxing faces such as Artem Harutyunyan and Ina Menzer. The latter praised Timm as “one of the best boxing trainers”. His humanity and down-to-earthness are valued in the boxing scene.

Dieter Berg, a long-time friend and coaching colleague of Timm, took the floor during the event, but refrained from giving a prepared speech because the moment was so emotional for him.

Promoting young talent

In the context of the commemoration, the motto “Boxing for young people” was issued. Six talents from BC Traktor Schwerin competed, five of whom were victorious. The evening brought in proceeds of over 26,000 euros, which will be used to promote Schwerin's talent. These numbers speak for the importance that Timm and his great work had for the future of boxing.

Michael Timm leaves behind a rich legacy. Born in Hagenow, he celebrated great success as a boxer and won the European light middleweight title in 1985. As a trainer, he led numerous German boxers, including Jürgen Brähmer, Felix Sturm and Ruslan Chagaev, to national and international success. Thanks to his strategic skills, he developed into an indispensable part of German boxing history. He also coached the national team to a variety of Olympic medals, including those of Vitali Tajbert in 2004 and Artem Harutyunyan in 2016.

The founding of the “German Reich Association for Amateur Boxing” in 1920 and the successes in boxing are also part of the full history that shaped boxing in Germany. Michael Timm was not only a guide through this history, but also a light for many talented boxers who became stars through his guidance. His spirit will continue to resonate from the ring.

For further information about the history of German boxing and the successes of the boxing association, you can access the Boxing Association website.

In honor of his life's work and the promotion of young talent, it is clear that Michael Timm will always remain in the hearts of many who remember his work with gratitude and respect.

For better insights into his impressive career, you can read the coverage at Boxing247 and the Baltic Sea Newspaper.