By Luke Furman

According to numerous reports in Turkey, retired heavyweight Sinan Samil Sam has passed away at a hospital in Istanbul, where the boxer was being treated for liver failure.

Family and friends have indicated that Sam's funeral will take place tomorrow in Ankara at the Kocatepe Mosque.

Sam (31-4, 16KOs), who turned pro in 2000, was a tough heavyweight who was never stopped during his career and rarely hurt. He retired in 2008 after capturing the vacant EBU title with a decision over Paolo Vidoz.

He won his first 18 fights, including victories over Przemyslaw Saleta, Danny Williams, and Julius Francis, before suffering his first career defeat to Juan Carlos Gomez and then lost again to Luan Krasniqi.

After beating Lawrence Clay Bey in 2005, he lost a WBC title eliminator against Oleg Maskaev, and then lost another WBC world title eliminator against Oliver McCall in 2007.

He held the EBU title twice, the WBC International title and the WBC Mediterranean belt.

Luke Furman covers boxing for bokser.org