Former boxing champ killed in Atlanta gun robbery

Former cruiserweight boxing champion O’Neil Bell has been killed in a robbery in Atlanta, Georgia. The retired athlete was shot as he got off a bus.

Atlanta Police Sergeant Warren Pickard has confirmed that the 40-year-old died at the scene. The incident took place on Wednesday morning.

Bell was accompanied by another unidentified person who was shot in the hip and is undergoing treatment in hospital while police investigate the crime.

The retired boxer held four major titles over an impressive career, being crowned the WBA, WBC and IBF cruiserweight champion throughout his 13 years in the ring.

Bell hung up his gloves in 2011 after beating Rico Carson by technical knockout, ending his career with a record of 27 wins from 32 fights, 25 of which came by KO.

Atlanta Police Lieutenant Charles Hampton shed more light on the incident in comments to WSB-TV Channel 2.

“We’re being told that there may have been some type of vehicle involved, a PT Cruiser, and robbery may be the motive,” he said.

Bell’s demise comes six years after the killing of former welterweight and junior middleweight champion Vernon Forrest, who was also shot to death in Atlanta during a carjacking attempt.