Stabbed boxer's relationship with newborn's mother was 'complicated'

Murdered boxer John King Abbey had a "complicated" relationship with the mother of his newborn child whom he was on his way to visit when he was knifed at a Croydon bus stop, his sister said.

Speaking from her native Ghana, Diana Abbey-Quarshie told how her brother and his girlfriend Naturah began to have problems in their relationship.

She also revealed her brother, whom she had regular phone conversations with, had been having problems at work.

She said: “Because he was having visa problems, he had a tough time but eventually he got another job.”

Mr Abbey’s sister revealed how the 26-year-old and Naturah eventually reconciled before the fateful day he was stabbed as she gave birth to his newborn son.

Mr Abbey was engaged to be married another woman, Emma Abbott, with whom he had two children.

Mr Abbey’s local boxing trainer in Ghana, Ishmael Quaye, said King and Charles Acquah, 22, who has been charged with his murder, had been good friends.

He said: “The two did a lot together after meeting in the UK again. King and Acquah would call us on the phone and give us details of how much fun they had together.”

The family of Mr Abbey was told of the sad news over the phone a day after his murder.

Mrs Abbey-Quarshie said the family was in constant contact with British immigration authorities and Mr King’s girlfriend Naturah.

Mr Abbey was killed at a bus stop on London Road, west Croydon, as he waited to catch a bus to Mayday Hospital.

He is survived by five children, three of whom are girls and two boys.