By Edward Chaykovsky

Former world champion Billy Dib (39-4, 23KOs) suffered a tragic loss on Saturday, when his wife, 21-year-old Sara Selim Dib, lost her battle with leukemia. A funeral service was held on Sunday at Rookwood cemetery in Sydney, Australia.

She was diagnosed with leukemia only eight weeks ago. According to family members her unexpected passing was attributed to complications with her treatment.

Dibb spent the last few days at his wife's side, sleeping on the floor in her hospital room. They were scheduled to get married in December, but after her diagnoses they pushed everything forward and got married just six weeks ago.

'To God we belong and to God we shall return. At 11.30pm last night, my heart passed away. Sara Selim Dib, my best friend, my soul, my everything, my angel forever,' Billy Dib, 30, wrote on Facebook.

Dib's brother, Jihad, thanked the countless thousands who sent over messages of support in the last few days.

"We have been so touched and overwhelmed with the well-wishes we've received since Sara's tragic passing," Jihad told The Daily Telegraph. "Sara was loved by young and old, she had a way of bringing people together, and even in death she has made that so."