Professional boxer, 21, shot dead in South Yorkshire

A 21-year-old professional boxer has been shot dead at a pub in South Yorkshire.

Tom Bell, described as an “outstanding” talent, was shot at the Maple Tree pub in Doncaster on Thursday night.

South Yorkshire police said they were called to Plantation Road at about 8.45pm where the victim was found with gunshot wounds. He was treated by paramedics at the scene and then taken to hospital where he was later pronounced dead, the force said. No one else was injured in the attack and no suspects have been arrested.

Doncaster Plant Works amateur boxing club, where Bell trained, said: “We are absolutely devastated to announce the passing of a great warrior who has spent a huge amount of time over the years boxing with our club. We are shocked beyond words to hear this sad news and would like to offer our sincere condolences to Tom’s family and closest friends.”

Bell had won all six of his professional fights and had spoken of following in the footsteps of his elder brother, Andy Bell, a former holder of the English and British super flyweight titles.

Head coach Paul Harrison said Bell had boxed at the gym before turning professional aged 18. “[Tom] brought his happy, fearless nature into everything he did,” he told the BBC. “Tom was an outstanding boxer, but also a considerate human being, who continued to visit the gym, inspiring and encouraging other young people, long after he went professional.

“We’re shocked beyond words at the needless loss of Tom’s life and ask that the community pull together to seek the justice Tom rightly deserves. Our gym will be a little emptier without him.”

Bell’s coach, James Harrington, tweeted a video of the boxer training and wrote: “RIP Tom. You and people in boxing knew I loved you like a son, I will never forget you and our memories.”

Liam Hoden, the deputy head of sport at the Sheffield Star newspaper, wrote that Doncaster had lost “one of its most promising young fighters”. He said: “He would likely have been back in the ring as early as March, beginning a concerted effort to rise through the domestic ranks.

“Due to tragic, unthinkable circumstances, we will never know how far Bell’s talents could have taken him. His boxing family are devastated.”