'He was a really nice kid, always smiling, always laughing' - Boxer leads tributes to boy killed in stabbing

Tributes are being paid to Ibrahima Seck, who was stabbed to death in north Manchester

A professional boxer has led the tributes to a teenage boy stabbed to death in north Manchester.

Ibrahima Seck died in hospital after being attacked outside the Fairway Inn on Broadway, New Moston on Sunday evening. Multiple witnesses have told the Manchester Evening News the attack took place in a row 'over a bike'.

Three boys, two aged 14, and the other 16, have been arrested on suspicion of murder, while a 14-year-old girl and a 37-year-old woman have also been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. In a tribute today William Crolla, the younger brother of former boxing world champion Anthony, described Ibrahima as a 'really nice kid'.

William, 26, an unbeaten super-welterweight, told the M.E.N. Ibrahima would visit the Fox boxing gym in Limeside, Oldham, every week as part of his school curriculum.

He said: "He was a cheeky chap, a really nice kid. He was always smiling, always laughing.

"I grew up on that street [where Ibrahima was killed], my mum's house was a minute away.

"Stuff like this was unheard of 10 years ago when I was growing up. Now people are carrying knives like it's part of the uniform.

"They think it's a game, but a knife, it's the exact same as a gun. Something like this affects so many lives."

Meanwhile friends and neighbours have also been paying tribute. A neighbour, who said she knew the family well, said Ibrahima was the youngest of three siblings.

She added: "I felt sick, so very, very sick. I just couldn't believe that had happened to a family like that.

"It's so sad, bless them. There's not much we can, just offer our condolences and be there if they need anything."

A card left at the scene, signed by Miss Davies, Mrs El-B, Miss Noble and Miss Taylor read: "We will always remember your energy, your cheeky grin and the way you could lift any mood."

In a statement earlier today Det Chief Insp John Charlton said: "This incident will have shocked and saddened the local community, and distressed anyone who witnessed it. We are deploying significant resources to this murder investigation, and this led to quickly identifying potential suspects.

"We are still trying to establish the full circumstances around the incident – there will be a large police presence and several scenes in place while we continue to investigate this horrific incident. The boy's family are being supported by our officers and we are determined to give them the answers they deserve.

"Despite making several arrests, this is still a live investigation, and we are looking for information, doorbell or dashcam footage, or eye-witness accounts from anyone who was in the area at the time quoting log 2250 of June 8."