Victim Reece Newcombe (pictured)
(Picture: PA Media)The family of a celebrity boxing coach who was stabbed to death on Richmond Bridge have paid tribute to him.
Reece Newcombe, 31, who trained celebrities including former footballer Ian Wright, died after he was stabbed with a piece of glass in south west London last month.
An online appeal for funds for his baby daughter raised more than £50,000.
In a heartfelt tribute, his family said the new father was always “bursting full of life and energy” and “besotted” with his five-month-old daughter Misse.
His cousin Lacey told MyLondon: “He was definitely a character. Always the centre of attention. He would walk in bursting full of life and energy. Always laughing. People who didn’t know him would ask how he is. Any funny stories to tell, they would say. You will never get another one like him. He would make you feel so special."
Another family member added: “There were no barriers with Reece. People felt they could be their true selves around him. That’s why he was loved so much. He was such a bubbly person, he was just a lovable lad.”
They said he helped get kids “off the streets” in his role as a boxing coach.
"He was brilliant with the kids," said Lacey. "Making sure things like this doesn’t happen. They grow up and tell you because of you I’ve gone to college, I’ve done this and not gone down this other path.
“That’s why it’s so devastating. We’ve worked all our lives to stop something like this happening and it ended up on our doorstep."
Ross Hamilton, 32, of Wood Lane, has been charged with murder following the incident.
A second man, 28, was arrested on suspicion of murder and released on bail until early January.
