O'Neil Bell of Jamaica. - FILE PHOTOS
NEW YORK CITY, New York (CMC):
JAMAICAN BOXING CHAMPION O'Neil Bell is promising a war against Jean-Marc Mormeck when the two clash for the undisputed world cruiserweight title on Saturday at the famous Madison Square Garden.
On the line in the 12-round contest will be the World Boxing Council (WBC) and World Boxing Association (WBA) titles held by the Frenchman Mormeck and Bell's International Boxing Federation (IBF) crown.
The winner will become the 200-pound division's first undisputed champion in 18 years -since Evander Holyfield defeated Carlos DeLeon in 1988 - and just the second since the division was created in 1980.
During a recent international conference call, Bell said he will attack Mormeck with sustained aggression from the opening bell.
"The bloodier the better," Bell said.
Mormeck stated, "I don't like blood, I just love to win."
To Bell, his advantage in the fight will be resilience and his ability as a multi-dimensional fighter.
"Whether it requires backing-up fighting, stepping to the side fighting, if you want a toe-to-toe brawl, I'm down for that," stated the Atlanta-based Bell, who has a ring record of 25 wins (23 knockouts) against one loss and one draw.
Mormeck, a native of the French-speaking Caribbean island of Guadeloupe, also has a solid log of 31 wins (21 knockouts) against two defeats.
The 30-year-old Bell, originally from Montego Bay on Jamaica's north coast, won the IBF title by defeating Canadian Dale Brown on points in May. He successfully defended the belt in an 11th round knockout of Sebastian Rothman in August.
Mormeck, 33, has not fought since April when he retained his WBA title and captured the WBC belt with an impressive 12-round unanimous decision over WBC king Wayne Braithwaite, of Guyana.
GUARDED RESPECT
France's double world cruiserweight boxing champion, Mormeck is paying guarded respect to Bell ahead of the huge unification bout.
Mormeck told reporters that Bell is a great champion and worthy opponent but not good enough to win their 12-round contest at the famous venue on Saturday night.
"I think that O'Neil Bell is a great champion because he has his IBF title," said Mormeck.
"I think it will be a tough match because O'Neil Bell is not going to want to let his belt go away, but he has to get ready for this because I am going to take it," Mormeck told reporters.
In the co-feature on Saturday night, one of the world's best pound-for-pound boxers, undisputed welterweight champion Zab 'Super' Judah will defend his WBC 147-pound crown against mandatory challenger and number one contender, Carlos Baldomir, of Argentina.
Judah is a heavy favourite for the contest but Baldomir is promising an upset result.
"I will rip his head off. He is in for a surprise," Baldomir told reporters this week.
Ticket prices for the card range from US$50 to US$500.
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