 |
|
|
The new year is fast approaching and with it comes the promise of some potentially great fights in 2006. So far we are scheduled to see the rematch between Erik Morales and Manny Pacquiao, Shane Mosley and Fernando Vargas battling for bragging rights in Southern California, Marco Antonio Barrera going up in weight to challenge Jesus Chavez, and the always intriguing antics of Hasim Rahman and James Toney. Add to it the possibility of Floyd Mayweather vs. Zab Judah in April and things aren’t looking too shabby on the boxing landscape. All of the above mentioned fights are interesting in their own way, but one championship bout that I feel deserves equal mention is the Cruiserweight unification match between IBF Champion O’Neil Bell and WBA and WBC boss Jean-Marc Mormeck on Showtime January 7th.
This fight looks to be a great blend of styles as we have the dynamic Bell going up against the relentless pressure of Mormeck. Both guys make for good fights and as it's always the case in boxing, anything can happen when these two meet. This is the type of match-up that is of more importance than it’s been given credit for and I expect a memorable night when these two meet.
I was able to catch up with O’Neil to get his thoughts on his date with destiny January 7th, his upbringing as a child, his passion for boxing, and his overall outlook towards life in this in depth interview. Enjoy.
Getting ready for January 7th…
‘Everything’s going great. Training camp is going great along with my diet and my condition. We’re geared for this fight and we’re focused. My timing is on and I have no complaints. Everything is set in motion for January 7th.
Sizing up Jean-Marc Mormeck…
‘Mormeck is a great champion and I really can’t take anything from him. I’m not the type to badmouth an opponent but he’s involved in the same sport that I am and we’re going after the same prize. He comes prepared to fight and against (Wayne) Braithwaite he was in excellent condition. He’s an excellent specimen for a champion and I expect him to be at his best when we meet.
Advantages…
‘The first advantage that I have is my resume. My boxing resume. Who has Mormeck fought to make him a recognizable name? What has he done in his career that was phenomenal enough to signify that he is worthy of being the unified champion? Compared to me, my resume stacks up better against his and I have to ask who has he fought in the U.S.?
Learning on the job…
‘I am experienced and I have shown that I can also knock experienced opponents out. I also have a great will to win. I believe he is a one-dimensional fighter. He has one motion, one speed, and one aggression. I believe myself to be a multi-dimensional fighter. If I have to be a boxer, I can do that. If I have to be a slugger I am also able to do that. If it comes down to me being a tactician, I am still able to do that. I see myself as a well-rounded fighter but I am still at the point where I am learning. I am learning on the job and it’s fun for me. It will be fun to figure him out.
An honor…
‘I’ve said it over and over again that’s it truly and honor to be fighting in New York. It’s great to be fighting on a card of this magnitude, as the co-main event of Zab Judah’s fight. It’s just great to be recognized as the IBF world champion and to get the chance to become the unified champion. To be in the game for so many years and to be noticed at this level is truly an honor.
The trials and tribulations of Jamaica…
‘I was born in Jamaica and came over to the states with my family at a young age. Jamaica was a third-world county and there were plenty of trials and tribulations. I remember days when I couldn’t leave the house because gunshots would be blaring and a lot of things were going on in the streets. We didn’t exactly live in the nicest of neighborhoods. Those things still run vivid in my mind today and I think that made me what I am today in a lot of ways.
Coming to the States…
‘I came over to the United States when I was seven and I had to endure a lot of obstacles then too. It was a transition for me. I came over here from Jamaica being picked on. I didn’t speak good English at the time and I had to figure out how to speak and how to make friends. I was picked on and I got into some random fights where I had to really defend myself. Basically older guys would pick on me. Once I established myself in the community I was able to adjust.
A childhood passion…
‘Boxing has been a childhood passion of mine. My father gave me my first pair of boxing gloves when I was just seven years old. He always taught me boxing but he never pressured me into it. I was drawn to the sport from a young age. I remember walking around with my gloves and my grandmother asking me if I wanted to be a boxer, and I said ‘Yeah, I want to be a fighter.’ It’s just been a childhood passion and I love the sport.
Sin City…
‘As far as fighting, Las Vegas has been one of my favorite places to fight. I’ve fought out in Vegas a couple times and it’s sin city. It is what it is. Out there you can make it the best of times if you want to. You can let your hair down and whatever happens in sin city stays in sin city. It’s definitely one of the most exciting places that I’ve fought.
Nothing but praise…
‘I am have always admired my parents. It’s been over 25 years and they are still together now. It’s been rough in and out but they’re still together, that’s just their relationship. Basically my dad would stress to me to stay out of the system. Stay away from the police, don’t get arrested, and basically to just be honest. Just walk the straight and narrow path. My dad still currently holds two to three jobs and it’s been like that ever since he’s been over here. He owns his own home, all his cars are paid for, and I respect him for being a hard worker. He’s always been a positive man and the same goes for my mother. It’s been like that consistently and I can’t take anything from them. They have shown me by example, not necessarily demanding anything from me, but just by their accomplishments and what they have instilled in me. I give nothing but praise to them for bringing me here.
A definite art…
‘One of my role models was Bruce Lee. I love martial arts and I’ve always considered myself an artistic person. Boxing is the same way as well because there is a definite art to it. I also looked up to Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, Joe Louis, and especially my number one boxer Jack Johnson. After getting involved in the game I was watching a lot of Jack Johnson and Joe Louis. They would be my direct boxing idols but overall it would have to be Bruce Lee.
The straight and narrow path…
‘I’m motivated to prove to prove the doubters wrong, to basically shatter their profile and perception that they have of me. It’s not vengeance, I don’t hold vengeance, but it’s just to show that I will continue to strive for the greatest being that I am. Even though obstacles may come I am out to stay on the straight and narrow path and I will overcome. The people who doubt me are actually a blessing to me, in disguise.
Striving for peace…
‘I try to strive for peace, whether it’s around me or abroad. Whatever happens I feel that I can adjust and use peace to resolve conflicts. I would like to sit and talk to individuals and come to a resolution and a good conclusion, involving the people in the conversation. We are the people and we make up the dignitaries, the presidents and the major influences that speak for us. I could definitely see myself as a peacemaker.
The glory in being a champion…
‘I just want to be the greatest at whatever I do, whether it’s boxing, cutting the grass, being a golfer, or being a bowler. At first I never really thought I would be a world champion, I just wanted to be the best at whatever I was doing. Being a champion was at first my direct goal but now that I’m more involved in it I can see the higher heights and the glory in being a champion. I’m out to carry that status to the highest degree.
Searching for the inner self…
‘I don’t feel comfortable with all religions and I don’t go to church, but I am deeply spiritual. I am always praying and I’m always into books and the bible. I’m always searching myself and searching for the inner self. As we should know and should accept, the embodiment of the most high is within us. You just have to walk the right path in order to portray that.
Upholding the status…
‘The fans are what really make us. We basically feed the fans with our artistic ability. We feed them with our viewpoints. We feed them with our ideology on things. The fans are most appreciated and they make an artist what they are today. They put us up on a pedestal and we must uphold that status. In actuality, they are greater than the artist themselves.
With open arms…
‘Once again I’d like to thank all the hardships that came my way, the obstacles that came my way, and the people that have linked themselves to me. Without them I wouldn’t be who I am today and I thank them with open arms.
The O’Neil Bell-Jean-Marc Mormeck fight takes place on January 7th at the Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York. Showtime will televise the contest, with things starting at 9 PM/ET.
*This Article is Sponsored by http://www.healthycoco.com/ |
|
|
|
© Copyright / All Rights reserved: Doghouse Boxing 1998-2005
|
INTERVIEW By Chris Robinson (December 30, 2005)
