‘Abdullah did not have a bad bone In his body - he was just a lovely person’
THE head performance coach at Lionheart Boxing Academy in Hull has paid tribute to murder victim Abdullah Balouchi.
Heartbroken Phil Knight says the death of Abdullah is “devastating” and he described the boxer and college student as “kind, generous and caring” and a person who “would do anything for anyone”.
The 20-year-old suffered fatal stab wounds just yards from a children’s play park in Peel Street at around 8.45am on Wednesday, October 7.
The death of Abdullah has shaken not just the gym, but the whole community, with flowers, boxing gloves and a medal also attached to a play area next to a corner shop in Wellington Lane, close to where Abdullah was fatally stabbed to death, with bottles of water also set out.
“We at Lionheart Boxing Academy are devastated and heartbroken to hear of the death of one of our own,” said Mr Knight.
“Abdullah was a kind, caring and generous young man who would think nothing of helping our less experienced boxers.
“He was a fantastic person and a fantastic boxer and a massive asset to Lionheart Boxing and his loss has left a massive hole in the gym, which has changed the whole dynamics in the gym.
“He didn’t have a bad bone in his body and found his home in the gym – he was just a lovely person.” Mr Knight believes that Abdullah would have been training in the gym and not out on the streets, had coronavirus restrictions not been in place, which has prevented boxers in the club meeting to spar and use the pads.
“It is something that I don’t think would have ever happened if it
Abdullah was a kind, caring and generous young man who would think nothing of helping others Phil Knight
wasn’t due to Covid-19 restrictions, as Abdullah would have normally been in the gym on a Wednesday evening,” he said.
“But the boxers are bored and have so been out on the street and that’s when they were out and attacked by idiots, with Abdullah being tragically killed.
“He had his whole life ahead of him and everyone in the gym loved him.
“It is horrendous to think of the fear he must have gone through that night and knife crime just shouldn’t be allowed to happen.
“Our thoughts and respect are with his family at this tragic time. Sleep well Abbs you will not be forgotten and we will miss you tremendously. Inna ilayhi raji’un and God bless.”