Tommy Bell

Background

Bell was born in Ogelthorpe, Georgia, a son of Shed and Bessie Howard Bell.

Career

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. When he was still a child, his family relocated to Youngstown, Ohio, a steel-production center near the Pennsylvania border.

Bell attended Scienceville High School before embarking on his amateur career.

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.

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.

Achievements

• During his career as an amateur boxer, Bell won 22 fights and lost three. In 1942, he won the Ohio Amateur Athletic Union Welterweight Championship. As a professional career, Bell participated in 82 fights and won 59.