Popular teenager Mahad Ali was stabbed to death last Thursday

A TEENAGER stabbed to death outside a warehouse party was a talented boxer from Crouch Hill, it has emerged.

Mahad Ali, 18, was set upon by a gang of armed attackers as more than 200 people spilled out of the event on an industrial
estate in Acton at 2.30am last Thursday.

The former Highbury Grove School pupil was rushed to hospital with multiple stab wounds but was pronounced dead soon afterwards. He is the 13th teenager to be murdered in London this year.

Mahad was a keen boxer at the Islington Boxing Club where he used to train. A picture of the teenager with British world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua was shared on social media.

“It’s such a shock to all of us,” said Reggie Hagland, manager and matchmaker at the boxing club. “We are completely devastated and angry that another life had been taken on the streets by knife crime for no particular reason. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time. We’re devastated for his family.”

He added: “Mahad will live long in the memory of the club. He was a dedicated boxer and he was such a good- hearted kid.

“I would never think he’d get into trouble. He was well-mannered and very popular with the boys and girls. He was a lovely kid.”

A photo of Mahad with world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua was shared on social media

Following a suggestion by senior academy coach Cherrelle Brown, who coached Mahad, the club started a collection for the family, who they will give a signed photo of Mahad in his boxing gear next week. They also plan to put up canvas dedicated to the teenager in the gym.

Mahad, who most recently attended West- minster Kingsway College, had been a dedicated member of the club throughout his teenage years.

He had progressed through its junior academy to compete for the club and fought a single bout – which he lost but performed in well.

He had resumed training earlier after an absence from the club, Mr Hagland said.

Mahad’s family, who came to Britain as refugees from Somalia, are said to be “completely devastated”.

It is believed the warehouse party was overrun by violent gangs towards the end of the night. Police have so far made no arrests in connection with Mahad’s killing.

Detective Chief Inspector Luke Marks, who is leading the investigation, said: “At some point an altercation began inside, and then may have spilled outside, which resulted in the victim being stabbed.

“Another man was treated at the scene for a head injury and it may be that others were injured too – we would appeal for those people to come for- ward.”

Anyone with information is asked to call the incident room on 020 8358 0300 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.