Besar Nimani dead: Former boxer killed in shooting in Germany as police launch manhunt

The world of boxing is mourning the death of a former welterweight champion after it was announced Besar Nimani had been shot dead in his native Germany.

Police have launched an investigation after Nimani, who was 38, was gunned down in an open street in the North Rhine-Westphalia town of Bielefeld, on Saturday night.

He was reportedly leaving a restaurant on Saturday when he was killed, with German outlet Bild reporting that up to 10 gunshots were heard by ear witnesses.

Nimani‘s brother Berati announced his death on social media with a tribute to his sibling.

His 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.”

According to EuroNews, Nimani survived another shooting back in 2013 and it is not yet known if the two incidents are linked.

Nimani was an Albanian fighter from Kosovo and he moved to Germany as a refugee escaping the Kosovan war in 1997.

He made his name in his country after winning 26 out of 27 professional fights before retiring from the sport in 2019. He also once held the IBF European super welterweight title, as well as two national titles.

Police begin investigation

Bielefeld police are yet to make an arrest in connection with the shooting but confirmed they have begun their investigation into the events that led to Nimani‘s death, with a manhunt underway for those behind the shooting.

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.”