Mihai Leu, previously a renowned boxer on a global scale representing Romania, passed away at the age of 56.
Mihai Leu, a trailblazing Romanian athlete who made significant contributions to both boxing and motorsport, passed away on July 1, 2025, following a brave battle with colon cancer. He was 56 years old.
Leu's career began in Germany where he became the WBO world champion in the welterweight division in 1997, making him Romania’s first professional boxing world champion after the fall of communism. He retired undefeated from professional boxing with a record of 28 wins and no losses.
Leu's boxing style was marked by tactical intelligence, quick footwork, and resilience. His crowning achievement was becoming the first Romanian to win a professional world boxing championship, a historic milestone for the country’s presence in the sport. Unfortunately, his boxing career was cut short due to injury, forcing him to retire while undefeated.
After retiring from boxing, Leu transitioned to rally driving, demonstrating remarkable versatility. He won the Romanian National Rally Championship in 2003 and served as a team manager for the Jack Daniel’s Rally Team. His success in motorsport further established him as a multi-talented athlete who excelled in two very different sports.
Leu's achievements broke new ground, inspiring a generation of Romanian athletes in both boxing and motorsport. His undefeated boxing world championship brought international recognition to Romania in the boxing world after decades of political and sporting isolation. His switch to rally driving and success there expanded the profile of motorsport in Romania, helping popularize that sport nationally.
Beyond sports, Leu was also a sports manager, political candidate, and university lecturer, contributing to Romanian sports culture and society at large. He will be remembered not only for his sporting achievements but also for his resilience and sporting excellence in the face of political and social changes in Romania.
Leu was first diagnosed with colon cancer in 2014. He was hospitalized at Fundeni Hospital earlier this year and again on June 21, following a hemorrhage. The disease returned in his case in December 2024. At the time of his latest admission, he was in the intensive care unit, suffering from pulmonary failure and lung metastases.
Euronews Romania reported that Leu remains a significant figure in the history of Romanian sports. He was referred to as a "true champion, both in the boxing ring and on the motorsport circuits." Leu was also called a "symbol of willpower, courage, and passion."
For his fans, Leu was and will remain a role model. For his family, he was a wonderful friend, husband, and father. The Facebook post confirming his death described him as "much more than an exceptional athlete."
Leu's legacy as Romania's first professional boxing world champion and a national rally champion continues to inspire. He served as a trailblazer for other Romanian boxers, including Leonard Doroftei, Lucian Bute, and Adrian Diaconu. His spirit and determination will live on in the hearts of those he inspired and the records he left behind.
[1] Mihai Leu's Official Facebook Page [2] Euronews Romania [4] Romania-Insider.com
- Mihai Leu, despite his achievements in boxing and motorsport, also demonstrated a passionate interest in football, often attending Romanian league matches and voicing his support for his favorite team.
- Towards the end of his life, Leu found solace in watching football, particularly the English Premier League, using it as a source of distraction from his illness and a reminder of the resilience required to overcome adversity, much like the players on the field.
