The 27 year-old was stopped in seven rounds by the American-based Kovalev following two knockdowns and was immediately rushed to hospital after losing consciousness in front of a worried crowd, which included former world champion Kostya Tszyu.
Simakov underwent emergency brain surgery whilst in the Ural City hospital but never came round and was pronounced dead by doctors earlier today.
It was the Kemerovo fighter’s second defeat in 22 contests and an inquiry has now been launched in to his untimely death after he was dragged from the ring in a makeshift stretcher after collapsing.
No oxygen or medical treatment appeared to be on hand to help the stricken fighter and there may now have to be a major review of the incident by the Russian boxing organisations.
