Funeral Home of the City of Pforzheim, 12 p.m. The bright pine coffin with palm carvings, in which the former world and European champion found his last resting place, stands in a festive room. The coffin was decorated with the German flag, boxing gloves and the ex-champ’s European championship belt. In front of it a large wreath of sunflowers and gerberas from the Association of German Professional Boxers and a photo of René Weller.
The The boxing legend died peacefully on August 22 in the arms of his wife Maria (70), who had lovingly cared for him until the end.
The location had been kept secret until the appointment, only invited guests were present. The boxing world was to pay its last respects to Weller, the “Golden Boy” of German fistfighting.
Maria Weller: “As an exceptional boxer and boxing legend, honored by the greatest in the boxing world, I would like to say goodbye to the champion with dignity.”
Rene Weller as a guest at the WBA Light Heavyweight World Championship 2015 in Dresden
Weller’s former promoter Wilfried Sauerland (83), who came with his wife Jochi from his Mallorca vacation, the world champions Markus Bott (61), Arthur Abraham (43) and Marco Huck (38). Cult trainer Ulli Wegner (83) also made his way from Zinnowitz/Usedom. Hagen Sevecke (83), the cornerman Wellers and many other boxing stars and boxing doctor Prof. Walter Wagner also appeared.
Maria Weller: “I’m touched. In the last few days I realized how strong our love was. I ask for your understanding that I quietly walked the last way of my beloved champion after a long and serious illness.” At the coffin, the brave woman said: “I am proud to have been his wife. I say goodbye. Nobody can close this gap anymore.”
Music by Peter Maffay was played
During the farewell in silence, songs by Peter Maffay (74) (“So bist du”, “Because you exist”). Rene Weller’s boxer rap from 1984 also rang out from the loudspeakers.
Wilfried Sauerland: “René Weller was one of the best German boxers of all time. Rest in peace.”
Arthur Abraham: “Rene Weller was a great boxer. I saw his fights on video. Rest in peace, champ.”
Boxing trainer Ulli Wegner met Weller as an amateur in international matches. Wegner: “You could see his class there. He brought movement to boxing. René was very popular. I have great respect for his wife Maria, who looked after him during the most difficult time of his life.”
Marco Huck: “René has made boxing socially acceptable again in Germany. Legends never die.”
Sympathy also throughout Europe. In England, Kalle Sauerland, son of promoter Wilfried Sauerland, had a T-shirt specially made with Rene Weller’s photo and wore it to a Wassermann event in Manchester during the weigh-in.
Champion was already on the ground! Watch Usyk’s excitement win again HERE
After the honoring of the dead in silence, a car with the coffin drove through the streets of the city of Pforzheim again. René Weller said goodbye to his Pforzheim. The cremation will take place at a later date. Now Rene Weller is punching through the sky. Maria Weller placed a red rose and a farewell letter in the coffin.
BILD TV is again showing the documentary “When I’m down, up is down – The René Weller Story” from 5:05 p.m. today.