Tribute to murdered Doncaster boxer Tom Bell from the Sheffield rival he beat

A Sheffield boxer who lost his unbeaten record to tragic Tom Bell, has paid his own tribute to the murder victim.
Razaq Najib, leftRazaq Najib, left
Razaq Najib, left

Doncaster-based Bell, 21, was killed in a drive-by shooting Tom Bell, at the Maple Tree pub on the Woodfield Plantation estate, in Balby, on Thursday.

News of the tragedy stunned Razaq Najib, who was outpointed by Bell at the City Hall, Sheffield in April 2016.

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Najib, of Park Hill, said: "I found out by a post on Facebook and I couldn't believe the bad news.

"He was a lovely lad and my thoughts are with his family and friends.

"I had known him to say hello to from the amateur game before we boxed professionally and there was never any bad-mouthing.

"Our fight saved the show that night, we had the crowd on it feet and I feel said about him now.

Tom BellTom Bell
Tom Bell
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"After it, he was a humble kid who said 'well done' to me for my part making it such a good fight. I learned a lot from the fight.

"Potentially, we could have boxed again and I would have liked that. He was a nice kid with no attitude. His coach Jim (Harrington) is decent too."

Najib said his coach Ryan Rhodes was also shocked by the tragedy.

"We don't know the background, but we are thinking of his family and friends right now" said the super bantamweight.

South Yorkshire Police said investigations have appealed for witnesses to contact them.

No-one else was hurt in the attack.

Bell trained at Doncaster Plant Works Amateur Boxing Club.