The Klitschko brothers have released a joint statement expressing their 'shock' at the news of the death of Corrie Sanders.

Sanders was shot at a restaurant in Pretoria, South Africa on Saturday and later died in hospital, and both Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko released a statement calling him a "great person".

"We were shocked to learn of the sudden death of Corrie Sanders and we want to express our sincere condolences to his family," read the statement.

"We will remember Corrie as a great person both inside and outside the ring. He was a great fighter with a big heart who always positively represented the sport of boxing."

Both Wladimir and Vitali fought Sanders in 2003 and 2004 respectively.