Boxing News 2015: Former Cruiserweight Champ O'Neil Bell Killed in Atlanta Shooting
Unfortunate news came in Wednesday when former cruiserweight boxer and titleholder O'Neil Bell was reportedly shot by robbers in Atlanta. The 40-year-old retired professional boxer died as a result of the shooting.
The Jamaican native is only one of two cruiserweight champs who can rightfully claim as an "undisputed" belt holder. Police later confirmed that robbery was the original intention in the fatal shooting. And while the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that they have the vehicle description, as well as the number of suspects, Atlanta police did ask for the public to help in identifying the shooters.
As of this posting, authorities suspect that there are four individuals involved in the crime, all of whom are males. The vehicle's description mentioned earlier referred to a Georgia plate (TJC685) for a 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser. It was later revealed that the car was stolen in the East Point vicinity a day before the shooting and was also used in a robbery that night. So far, the only evidence police has is a video of the vehicle wherein one individual is seen making his way out of it.
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Bell was born in Jamaica, but after turning pro in 1998, all but his two fights were fought in the United States.
He finished an impressive boxing career, compiling a record of 27 wins, 4 losses, and a draw. Only two of his victories went the distance. He won the IBF cruiserweight title back in 2005 against Canadian boxer Dale Brown. He became the undisputed cruiserweight champ after knocking out Jean-Marc Mormeck, grabbing the WBA and WBC belts. The only other known "undisputed" cruiserweight champ in history is Evander Holyfield.
After losing to Mormeck in a rematch where he lost his titles, he never became the same fighter he once was, suffering two successive losses in the process. He last fought four years ago where he was knocked out by Rico Cason in the first round.
