BELL BARRAGE HALTS HALL By George J. Elsasser

The FNF card from the "Second City" of Chicago, Illinois featured an impressive performance by WBC #1 rated O'Neil Bell over a blown up light heavy in Derrick Harmon.

Things opened quietly during stanzas one and two with Bell in an uncharacteristic wait and see mode ... but come number three the Bell power, strength, and nastiness came thru loud and clear.

Was round four that first saw Harmon hitting the deck after a barrage of heavy punches ... but to his credit the out gunned 33 year old southpaw answered with big left hands of his own.

Still, this nite would belong to the stronger and clearly tougher Bell who methodically applied pressure while outworking Harmon ... and come candle seven a big right hand dropped Harmon a once again.

Ironically, the big right bomb arrived as veteran Hall was looking to referee Gerald Scott to complain of a Bell forearm ... so much for the ol' axiom of "protect yourself at all times."

The end came at 1:41 seconds of number eight courtesy of a finishing right hand that began as a right-left-right combination that found the target.

Post-fite thoughts:

Derrick Harmon ~ tall southpaw doesn't have punching power or foot speed at age 33 for serious contention among the Cruisers ... plus questionable chin. Can still have some moments at light-heavy ... and maybe at Cruiserweight if choosing opponents carefully while accepting lighter pay checks.

O'Neil Bell ~ Is surely in the right place at the right time with James Toney now fighting at heavyweight ... a WBC title shot with Wayne Braithwaite is definitely in order and is something of a flip of the coin affair.

However, a word of caution suggests a bit more tutoring for the 28 year old ... would prefer seeing him working from a crouch than the current more erect stance ... believe heart & guts has sustained a questionable chin construction.

Semper fi,

GEL