Besar Nimani dead at 38: Former boxing champion killed in street shooting as police launch investigation
FORMER boxing champion Besar Nimani has died aged 38 after reportedly being shot while leaving a restaurant.
Police have launched an investigation after he was killed in an open street in Bielefeld, Germany, on Saturday night.
Nimani was an Albanian fighter from Kosovo who moved to Germany in 1997.
He won 26 of his 27 professional bouts in the ring from 2011 to 2019.
And Nimani also once held the IBF European Super Welterweight title, as well as two German belts.
He was reportedly leaving a restaurant on Saturday when he was killed, with Bild claiming up to 10 gun shots were heard.
Police are yet to make any arrests but a major investigation and manhunt is currently underway.
A statement from Bielefeld police read: “According to the current findings, the man from Bielefeld was in the area near ‘Obernstrasse’ near ‘Klasingstrasse’ around 18:00.
“One or more perpetrators approached and shot the victim. The man from Bielefeld, who was a Kosovar citizen, died at the scene due to the great wounds he received.
“A major police operation is currently underway in the Bielefeld city area. The search for the author or authors follows.
“The investigations by the commission for the investigation of the ‘Ober’ murders are led by chief detective Alexander Scholz.”
Nimani’s brother Berati announced the boxer’s death on social media.
A post read: “My brother Besar Nimani was killed today in an ambush in Bielefeld, Germany.
“May God join us in heaven with him. I will forever be proud of you, I love you.”
Euronews claims Nimani was previously injured in a shooting in 2013.