User:Tiaassist/sandbox/Bobby Bell

Bobby Bell (1929–1985) was an American Boxer. He was born "Robert Earl Bell" in Cleveland, Ohio on February 17, 1929.

Family Life
Bobby Bell, and his wife Aminah Bell, parented five (5) children, three are band members of the famed Kool & the Gang.

Early Life and Career
Bobby was primarily coached, and trained in Youngstown, Ohio. In his early years, Bobby's big chance came, as amateur boxer when he competed, and won the 1947 Chicago Golden Glove Tournament of Champions, and the Chicago Intercity Championships, as a bantamweight. Little did he know his passion, training, and southpaw advantage, would soon take him across the globe to challenge and defeat some of the most esteemed fighters of his time.

His professional boxing career began on November 4, 1947, he fought as a featherweight, and defeated Ralph Morales by decision. Bobby won eleven (11) of his first twelve (12) bouts, and during the first year of his career, he entertained audiences in New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C. The first real test of his career was when he faced undefeated Bobby Lloyd on June 1, 1948. Bell passed the test with flying colors and handed Lloyd his first loss in thirteen fights. Lloyd, however, avenged that loss to Bell just twenty-nine (29) days later.

Bobby had a career that included 107 professional bouts, and only one (1) was in Youngstown, Ohio. Domestically, he fought in Arizona, California, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, and Wisconsin. Nine (9) of his bouts were at the Madison Square Garden alone. Internationally, he fought in Canada, Cuba, France, Italy, Mexico, and Morocco.

During his career, Bobby not only challenged, but defeated some of the most tenacious and non-relenting boxers of his time. These included Johnny Moran, Ray Edwards, Tony Longo, Ike Chestnut, Carmelo Costa, and Henry "Pappy" Gault. On July 22, 1957, he TKO'd featherweight contender Bobby Courchesne in 8 rounds. He drew with French bantamweight champ Andre Valignat and French featherweight champ Frances Bonnardel, both in France. He was defeated by Michigan featherweight champion Jackie Graves and future featherweight world Champion Percy Bassett. The most notable bouts of his career were on July 25, 1950, and July 17, 1958, when Bobby face the "Will O'Wisp," Hall of Fame boxer Willie Pep. Pep, who ended his career with an incredible 229-11-1 record, beat Bell by decision in both outings. His record 45-54-8,7KOs.