Katie Taylor’s former opponent Viviane Obenauf sentenced to 16 years in prison for murdering husband with baseball bat
FORMER boxer Viviane Obenauf has been sentenced to 16 years in prison after being found guilty of murder.
The Brazilian, 36, became known to British fight fans after losing on points to Irish star Katie Taylor, 36, in a high-profile clash in Manchester in 2016.
Viviane Obenauf fought Katie Taylor at the Manchester Arena six years agoSportsfile – Subscription
In December 2020, she was arrested in connection with the death of her 61-year-old husband.
He was found dead in their Swiss home in October 2020 after suffering serious injuries caused by a blunt object.
He has only ever been identified as ‘Thomas’ during the proceedings due to Swiss protection law.
Obenauf stood trial more than two years ago and has just been sentenced.
Police said she struck her victim 19 times in the head with a baseball bat at their home in Interlaken.
Obenauf pleaded not guilty but prosecutors proved their case with evidence which included blood samples taken from her clothes and his clothes.
They had only been married for about ten months before she killed him.
Former Matchroom Boxing pro Obenauf competed in the super featherweight and lightweight divisions and retired from the sport in 2019.
She challenged for three world titles and hung up her gloves with a record of 14 wins and six defeats from 20 bouts.
After boxing, Obenauf worked in the food and beverage industry before opening her own gym in Switzerland.
