HOLLYWOOD, FL, March 23 – Back in the United States after a disappointing weekend in France, former undisputed world cruiserweight champion O’Neil Bell has plenty to say about the circumstances surrounding his 12 round decision loss to Jean-Marc Mormeck in their highly anticipated rematch..
“I had a lot of respect for Mormeck before that fight and I considered him a warrior,” said Bell. “But after he ran from me for the last four rounds because he knew he was ahead on the scorecards, I have nothing good to say about the man. He should be ashamed of himself and he should apologize to all boxing fans for spoiling what could have been the Fight of The Year.” Bell lost his titles via scores of 115-113, 115-113, and 116-112. The Atlanta-based Jamaican pushed the pace throughout the fight, just as in their first meeting, which Bell won via a tenth round knockout.
But in the rematch, as Bell was coming on, the open scoring announcement after eight rounds had Mormeck ahead. The Frenchman decided to sit on his lead and avoid any serious exchanges for the rest of the fight.
“Regardless of the scoring, Mormeck’s tactics, and some funny business on the part of the timekeeper, who was ending rounds early, I know I won this fight,” said Bell. “The only thing I’m thankful for is that the fight was shown on television in the United States, so the fans could see the truth about what happened.”
After a short break, Bell expects to be back in the gym to get ready for what he hopes will be a third bout with Mormeck.
“I definitely want a rematch and I think Mormeck owes it to me and to the fans to settle the score,” said Bell. “I won’t stop chasing him until he does give me another fight – as the great Joe Louis said, ‘you can run, but you can’t hide.”