Besim Kabashi, Albanian kickboxer, died he was 35.

Besim Kabashi was an Albanian-German kickboxer who competed in the light heavyweight, cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions died he was 35.. He began his training in Germany after emigrating from Kosovo and initially competed as a -79 kg/174 lb fighter before moving up through the weight classes until eventually reaching heavyweight. After stints as a German and European champion, Kabasi won the WKA World Heavyweight Muay Thai title in 2008. Although he defended this belt numerous times and had an impressive 80% knockout ratio, he rarely fought outside his hometown of Munich or against top-ranked competition, and so was never considered elite at any weight class.^[1]
He died from an apparent drug overdose in December 2011.

(Albanian: Besim Kabaši; February 27, 1976 – December 4, 2011)

Early life

Kabashi was born as the youngest of seven children to Kosovar Albanian parents near Istok, SFR Yugoslavia (now Kosovo) in 1976 and moved to Munich, Germany at the age of fourteen. He competed in athletics, football and swimming as a youngster before he began kickboxing when he was seventeen.^[2]

Career

After successful careers in amateur boxing and kickboxing, Kabashi turned professional in 1997 and won the WKA German Light Heavyweight (-79 kg/174.2 lb) Championship in his debut year. He then followed this up by taking the WKA German Super Light Heavyweight (-83.2 kg/183.4 lb) title the following year. Despite a promising start to his career, Kabashi would then retire from the sport in 2002 following a disagreement with his trainer.
He returned to the ring in 2006, weighing in at 102 kg/224 lb. His transition to heavyweight saw him have success almost immediately as he knocked out Zoran Dorcic in round two to become the WKA European Super Heavyweight (+95 kg/209.4 lb) Champion in 2007. He then won the WKA World Heavyweight (-95 kg/209.4 lb) Muay Thai belt on December 13, 2008 when he defeated Yahya Gülay by fourth round technical knockout. Kabashi defended this title seven times over the next three years against the likes of David Dancrade and Petr Vondráček before his untimely death in December 2011.^[3]

Death

Kabashi was found dead in his apartment in Munich, Germany on Sunday December 4, 2011.^[4] While the first analyses show an overdose of drugs, it is unclear whether he committed suicide or not.^[5]

Championships and awards

Kickboxing

• World Kickboxing Association
  • WKA German Light Heavyweight (-79 kg/174.2 lb) Championship
  • WKA German Super Light Heavyweight (-83.2 kg/183.4 lb) Championship
  • WKA European Super Heavyweight (+95 kg/209.4 lb) Championship
  • WKA World Heavyweight (-95 kg/209.4 lb) Muay Thai Championship