Tommy Bell (boxer)
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- For the American football official, see Tommy Bell (American football official)
Tommy Bell (March 13, 1923 – July 14, 1994) was an African-American boxer. As a professional, he faced legendary fighters such as Jake LaMotta, Fritzie Zivic, and Kid Gavilán. Bell fought for the welterweight title against Sugar Ray Robinson in 1946.[1]
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[edit] Early years
Bell was born in Atlanta, Georgia, a son of Shed and Bessie Howard Bell. When he was still a child, his family relocated to Youngstown, Ohio, a steel-production center near the Pennsylvania border.[1] Bell attended Scienceville High School before embarking on his amateur career.[1]
[edit] Boxing career
During his career as an amateur boxer, Bell won 22 fights and lost three. In 1942, he won the Ohio AAU Welterwieght Championship.[1] As a professional career, Bell participated in 82 fights and won 59. He once scored 34 wins in a row and knocked out five opponents during a five-day period. Bell was best known for a 15-round welterweight title loss to Sugar Ray Robinson, on December 20, 1946.[1]
[edit] Later years
Bell returned to Youngstown after retiring from the ring in 1951. He was active as a coach and trainer, and in 1985, he was inducted into the community's Curbstone Coaches Hall of Fame. Bell died in 1994 from a heart ailment.[1]
