R.I.P. PRESTON FREEMAN, 1993-2013

Gun violence claims the life of unbeater junior welterweight

Tragedy struck the boxing world in St. Louis when promising junior welterweight Preston Freeman was shot and killed outside a local nightclub. Freeman, who just turned 20 last week, was shot in the chest during a gun fight that saw over 20 shots fired. He leaves this world with a record of 3-0, with all his wins coming late last year in California. It is unclear from the news reports whether Freeman had any role in the dispute or was just a bystander. According to Boxingtalk's Doveed Linder, who knew Freeman as a child, "Preston was known as 'Lil Man' in the amateurs. He was very talented and everybody liked him. The St. Louis boxing community is totally shaken up by this news."  Boxingtalk sends its condolences to the friends and family of Preston Freeman. --Scott Shaffer