Besim Kabashi

Besim Kabashi (27 February 1976 – 4 December 2011) was a Kosovar-German kickboxer who competed in the light heavyweight, cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions. 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, Kabashi won the WKA World Heavyweight Muay Thai title in 2008 which he held until his death in December 2011.[1]

Besim Kabashi
Born(1976-02-27)27 February 1976
Istok, SAP Kosovo, SFR Yugoslavia
Died4 December 2011(2011-12-04) (aged 35)
Munich, Germany
NationalityKosovar
Height1.87 m (6 ft 1+12 in)
Weight102 kg (225 lb; 16.1 st)
DivisionLight Heavyweight
Cruiserweight
Heavyweight
StyleKickboxing  Muay Thai
Fighting out ofMunich, Germany
TeamKS Steko
Years active1997–2002
2006–2011
Kickboxing record
Total66
Wins65
By knockout60
Losses1
Draws0

Early life

Kabashi was born in 1976 as the youngest of seven children to Kosovar Albanian parents near Istok, Yugoslavia, and moved to Munich, Germany at age 14. He competed in athletics, football and swimming as a youngster before he began kickboxing at age 17.[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 lb) Championship in his debut year. The following year her won the WKA German Super Light Heavyweight (-83.2 kg/183 lb) Championship. Despite a promising start to his career, Kabashi would then retire from the sport in 2002 following a disagreement with his trainer.

Kabashi 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 lb) Champion in 2007. He then won the WKA World Heavyweight (-95 kg/209 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 4 December 2011.[4][5]

Championships and awards

Kickboxing

  • World Kickboxing Association
    • WKA German Light Heavyweight (-79 kg/174 lb) Championship
    • WKA German Super Light Heavyweight (-83.2 kg/183 lb) Championship
    • WKA European Super Heavyweight (+95 kg/209 lb) Championship
    • WKA World Heavyweight (-95 kg/209 lb) Muay Thai Championship

Kickboxing record

Kickboxing record
65 wins (60 KOs), 1 loss, 0 draws
Date Result OpponentEventLocation MethodRoundTime
2011-05-28WinCzech Republic Petr VondráčekSteko's Fight NightMunich, GermanyTKO (punches)41:27
Retains the WKA World Heavyweight (-95 kg/209 lb) Muay Thai Championship.
2010-12-04WinTurkey Mehmet ÖzerSteko's Fight NightMunich, GermanyTKO (punches)31:44
Retains the WKA World Heavyweight (-95 kg/209 lb) Muay Thai Championship.
2010-09-25WinItaly Luca PantoSteko's Fight NightMunich, GermanyKO (punches)12:07
Retains the WKA World Heavyweight (-95 kg/209 lb) Muay Thai Championship.
2010-03-20WinEstonia Andrei ManzoloSteko's Fight NightMunich, GermanyDQ (Manzolo could not recover from a low blow)22:17
Retains the WKA World Heavyweight (-95 kg/209 lb) Muay Thai Championship.
2009-00-00WinChina Li JixiangSteko's Fight NightMunich, GermanyTKO (right hook)43:00
Retains the WKA World Heavyweight (-95 kg/209 lb) Muay Thai Championship.
2009-00-00WinWales John LoveSteko's Fight NightMunich, GermanyKO (right cross)20:59
Retains the WKA World Heavyweight (-95 kg/209 lb) Muay Thai Championship.
2009-00-00WinFrance David DancradeSteko's Fight NightMunich, GermanyDQ (Dancrade struck the referee)22:08
Retains the WKA World Heavyweight (-95 kg/209 lb) Muay Thai Championship.
2008-12-13WinTurkey Yahya GülaySteko's Fight NightMunich, GermanyTKO (knees and punches)42:27
Wins the WKA World Heavyweight (-95 kg/209 lb) Muay Thai Championship.
2008-00-00WinFrance Corentin JallonSteko's Fight NightMunich, GermanyDecision33:00
2007-09-15WinSerbia Lazar TomićSteko's Fight NightMunich, GermanyDecision33:00
2007-00-00WinCroatia Zoran DorčićSteko's Fight NightMunich, GermanyKO (right cross)2
Wins the WKA European Super Heavyweight (+95 kg/209 lb) Championship.
Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw/No contest   Notes

References

  1. Besim Kabashi
  2. Biografia e kikboksierit Besim Kabashi Archived October 10, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  3. "Besim Kabashi mposht Petr Vondracek me KO në raundin 4". Archived from the original on 26 January 2013. Retrieved 30 October 2012.
  4. "Der seltsame Tod des Thai-Boxers" (in German). Bild. 6 December 2011. Retrieved 19 February 2012.
  5. "Toter Kickboxer: Rätsel um angeblichen Abschiedsbrief" (in German). Augsburger Allgemeine. 15 December 2011. Archived from the original on 13 February 2012. Retrieved 19 February 2012.
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