20.12.05 – By Ike Enwereuzor: IBF Cruiserweight champion O’Neil “Supernova” Bell (25-1 23 KO’s), born in Montego Bay, Jamaica now fighting out of Atlanta, Ga is scheduled to collide with WBA/WBC Cruiserweight Champion Jean-Marc Mormeck at Madison Square for the Undisputed Cruiserweight Championship. SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING will televise the fight on Jan. 7, 2006 (9 p.m., ET/PT, delayed on the west coast)..
Ike: What’s your impression of Jean-Marc Mormeck?
Bell: I think he’s a straight-up physical fighter. He comes straight up and can get hit. I love to fight straight up fighters, he’s there to get hit. He’s not that technical.
Ike: Describe your fight with Sebastian Rothmann?
Bell: It was a technical fight, I didn’t rush the fight. He threw some heavy blows but I had to show the fans that I’m capable of being a great champion.
Ike: What do you remember most about your first professional fight?
Bell: I remember that Evander Holyfield was in his nephew’s corner so I realised that the only way I can win this fight is to knock Williams Holyfield out… I stopped him round 1.
Ike: Please, tell us about your second professional fight with Mohammed Benguesmia in April 1998, your first and only loss?
Bell: I lost that fight but it was a turning point for me. I always educate myself about my opponent but I just found out after the fight that he had over 144 amateur fights compared to my 12.
Ike: What can you tell us about your fight with James Walton?
Bell: Again, in this fight Roy Jones was ringside telling Walton to throw left hooks and I was just listening and used what he was saying against Walton. It was a good experience for me.
Ike: Compare your 2 fights with Arthur Williams?
Bell: He was an ex world champion. First time my game plan was to box him and take him out
in late rounds. The first fight boosted my confidence,so the second time I didn’t have no fear.
Ike: Please, describe also your fights with Ka-Dy King, Kelvin Davis, Ezra Seller, Derrick Harmon?
Bell: I just hit Ka-Dy with a left hook, it was over in the third round. I learned a lot from the Kelvin Davis fight, Lou Duvas was handling him then. All I did was stay away from his dirty tactics and KO him in 11. They claim I hit him while he was down.
Seller was a clean fighter with good power but a glass jaw. He couldn’t land anything solid and I stopped him in round 2.
Derrick Harmon was a perfect fight for me. I fought him December 2003 It was a step up fight for me. That was the fight that convinced the fans that I’m a worthy contender in the division.
Your impression of WBO Cruiserweight champion Johnny Nelson?
Bell: That 98 year old man? I want to hold the 4 major cruiserweight world titles. I gave him 3 opportunities to fight me and he refused even though I was coming to fight him in London. Johnny Nelson doesn’t want to fight me so I’m focusing on Jean-Marc Mormeck.
Ike: What else do you want to tell fans about the upcoming fight January 7, 2006?
Bell: This will be a specular event This is a big fight for me, this a unification championship. It’s going to be at Madison Square Garden, it can’t get any better than that. May I give credit to Jean-Marc Mormeck for signing the contracts to fight me. He’s true champion but I want to be recognised as a cruiserweight king. Special thanks to Showtime and Don King for this opportunity. Thanks to all the Boxing fans, see you at the fight january 7, 2006. Supernova is on a mission to become the undisputed Cruiserweight champion of the world. happy Holidays to everyone.
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