Tommy Bell (boxer)
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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]
Early years
[edit]Bell was born in Ogelthorpe, 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] Bell's nephews Robert (also known as "Kool") and Ronald would go on to form the acclaimed rhythm and blues band Kool and the Gang.
Boxing career
[edit]During his career as an amateur boxer, Bell won 22 fights and lost three. In 1942, he won the Ohio AAU Welterweight Championship.[1] In his professional career, Bell participated in 82 fights and won 59. At one point in his career, he scored 34 wins in a row. In a five day period, he once knocked out five opponents. Bell was best known for a 15-round welterweight title loss to Sugar Ray Robinson, on December 20, 1946. Bell scored a knockdown, but the decision was given to Robinson after a close, violent fight. [1]
Later years
[edit]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.