Besar Nimani, a former boxing champion with only one loss in his career, was shot to death outside a restaurant in Germany.
Nimani was leaving the establishment in Bielefeld Saturday night around 6 PM, according to a report, when 10 shots were fired ... at least some striking Nimani, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
"One or more perpetrators approached and shot the victim," police said in a statement, adding, Nimani "died at the scene due to the great wounds he received."
Authorities are currently investigating -- a "major police operation" -- as they hunt for the person (or people) behind the shooting.
Cops have not commented on motive or the identity of any suspect(s).
Besar, an Albanian who was born in Kosovo in 1985, fled to Germany in the late '90s as the Kosovo War raged in the Southeastern European country.
And, the boxer eventually made his mark in his new country ... becoming a successful pro pugilist. In fact, Besar was 26-1 with 22 knockouts ... and once held the IBF European Super Welterweight title. Nimani retired in 2019 after winning his last fight by TKO.
Nimani's brother, Berati, paid tribute to his late sibling on social media ... "My brother Besar Nimani was killed today in an ambush in Bielefeld, Germany."
He added ... "May God join us in heaven with him. I will forever be proud of you, I love you."
R.I.P.