As Vanes Martirosyan faced life-threatening illness, his wife Gaby Tsao remained his strongest support.
Vanes Norikovich Martirosyan carved out a distinguished career in professional boxing that spanned from 2005 to 2018.
The Armenian-born American boxer represented the United States at the 2004 Olympics as a welterweight at just 18 years old, competing alongside future champions Andre Ward and Andre Dirrell.
Martirosyan turned professional under Bob Arum’s Top Rank promotional company and trained with legendary coach Freddie Roach alongside elite fighters like Manny Pacquiao.
Throughout his career, he challenged for world titles on three occasions, including bouts against Demetrius Andrade in 2013 and Erislandy Lara in 2016 for light middleweight championships.
His most notable fight came in May 2018 when he stepped in as a late replacement to face unified middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin, losing by knockout in the second round.
Martirosyan retired with an impressive 36-4-1 record, including 21 knockouts.
His career showcased his willingness to face top-tier competition, earning him respect from boxing fans worldwide.
Tragically, Martirosyan passed away on November 23, 2025, at age 39 after battling skin cancer for two years.
Gaby Tsao Stood by Vanes Martirosyan as a Devoted Wife Throughout His Boxing Career
Gaby Tsao served as Vanes Martirosyan’s devoted wife throughout the boxer’s career and personal struggles.
The couple built a life together that spanned more than two decades, with sources indicating they maintained their marriage for over 20 years.
Their union produced two children who became the center of their world: son Andrew and daughter Arianna.
Gaby played a crucial role during the most challenging period of her husband’s life when doctors diagnosed him with Squamous Cell Carcinoma cancer.
When medical specialists at prestigious institutions, including USC, UCLA, City of Hope, and MD Anderson Cancer Center, delivered the devastating news that cancer was spreading toward Martirosyan’s lymph nodes, Gaby stood firmly by his side.
She actively participated in researching treatment options and advocating for alternative approaches to combat the disease.
The couple demonstrated their partnership when they jointly decided to pursue aggressive chemotherapy treatment at a facility in Tijuana, Mexico, known as Hope 4 Cancer.
Gaby researched this rigorous course of treatments, which included 10 weekly chemotherapy sessions, showing her dedication to exploring every possible avenue for her husband’s recovery.
Her investigation and support reflected the strength of their bond as they faced this life-threatening challenge together.
Throughout Martirosyan’s boxing career, Gaby maintained a relatively private presence, supporting her husband from behind the scenes while he pursued championship glory.
The couple raised their children in the Glendale, California area, where Martirosyan had settled after moving from Armenia as a young child.
Their son Andrew developed an interest in combat sports, training in both boxing and jiu-jitsu with his father’s guidance, while their daughter Arianna also remained close to the family.
The couple faced difficulties in their relationship, with reports emerging in 2019 of a domestic violence incident that resulted in Martirosyan’s arrest.
However, these challenges occurred within the context of a long-term marriage that ultimately endured through multiple decades.
During Martirosyan’s final battle with cancer, Gaby remained committed to his care and recovery.
When Martirosyan underwent treatment in Tijuana, looking out at the ocean from his facility window during sleepless nights, Gaby’s presence and support provided comfort during his darkest hours.
The boxer frequently mentioned his concern for what his illness meant for his wife and children.
After Martirosyan’s passing on November 23, 2025, Gaby Tsao continues as a surviving spouse, left to raise their two children while preserving the memory of the accomplished boxer.
Their son Andrew, who celebrated his 13th birthday in October 2024, and daughter Arianna, who turned 12 that same month, now carry forward their father’s legacy with their mother’s guidance and support.
Gaby’s role evolved from being the wife of an Olympic boxer and professional fighter to becoming the widow of a man who fought valiantly both in the ring and against a devastating illness that ultimately claimed his life.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Martirosyan beat Austin Trout three times, Andre Berto, and Timothy Bradley during his amateur career, finishing with an impressive record of 120 wins and 10 losses.
- In addition to being managed by his uncle, Serge Martirosyan, Vanes was co-managed by Shelly Finkel, who also managed world champions, including Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko, Evander Holyfield, and Manny Pacquiao.
- Martirosyan lost his brother to a heart attack in 2023 (the year before his cancer diagnosis), and mentioned that his parents had already reserved burial places next to his brother, expressing his fear of being “the next one in there.”
