By Marc Mayo

THE WIFE of Maxim Dadashev has spoken of her determination to raise their son “to be a great man” following the boxer’s shock death.

Elizaveta Apushkina made an emergency dash from holidaying in Turkey to be by her husband’s side after he suffered brain injuries in a fight with Subriel Matias on Friday.

Holding on for 11 rounds in the IBF light-welterweight title eliminator in Maryland, Dadashev collapsed upon exiting the ring and was rushed to hospital for surgery on a form of brain bleeding known as a subdural haematoma.

Tragically, he died on Tuesday and is survived by wife Elizaveta, 28, and two-year-old son Daniel.

The couple fell in love as teenagers and Elizaveta has vowed that Daniel will give her the “power to live” after the tragedy.

She wrote online: “My love! You are always in my heart, my soul is tearing apart from pain without you!

“It is the hardest time in our family.”

“I can’t believe it! Thank you for 11 years of love!

“Eleven years of happiness! And a wonderful son!

“This is all I have left and it will give me the power to live.”

Tributes have poured in from around the boxing world after the news of Dadashev’s death broke.

The Saint Petersburg fighter’s defeat at the hands of Puerto Rican star Matias was the first of his career, which ended with a 13-1 record.

Elizaveta immediately flew to UM Prince George’s Hospital Center in Washington DC upon hearing the news, and is now expected to return to his home city for her husband’s funeral.

In another message issued in the US, the widow said: “It is with great sadness that I confirm the passing of my husband, Maxim Dadashev.

“He was a very kind person who fought until the very end.

“Our son will continue be raised to be a great man like his father.

“Lastly, I would like to thank everyone that cared for Maxim during his final days.

“I ask that everyone please respect our privacy during this very difficult time.”

The operation to save Dadashev’s life lasted several hours and consisted of removing the right side of his skull to ease pressure on his brain.

However, having been placed in a medically induced coma, the boxer sadly passed away.

Before the technical knockout decision was made, trainer Buddy McGirt was capturedpleading with Dadashev to throw in the towel – which he refused to do.

After asking his man to accept defeat, McGirt made the decision for him, saying: “Please, please, you are getting hit too much.”

Article courtesy of The Sun