On a crisp, cold night in New York City, the last thing on a persons mind is going anywhere in this type of weather, but this in New York and nothing holds us back. That is why a few thousand screaming city dwellers packed the Theater at the Garden to see Zab Judah defend his titles against WBC mandatory challenger Carlos Baldomir. What was thought to be an easy defense turned out to be a complete shocker to all that were in attendance. The night started out with Judah hitting Baldomir on the thigh as the two stood in the middle of the ring getting instructions, the ref called both back to the center before the bell to retouch and scolded Zab on his un-sportsman like conduct.
The pace started out as usual with both fighters feeling each other out, and each taken chances with throwing jabs and body shots. Judah moved around avoiding most of the shots. The tides turned later in the fight around round eight (if not mistaken) when Baldomir unloaded with some vicious shots to the body staggering Judah early in the round, which he later composed himself seconds before the round was over to finish out. Judah and Baldomir both finished the fight on their feet, but the unanimous decision ultimately went to Carlos Baldomir with the scores of 115-113, 115-113, 115-112.
On the same fight card earlier that night, “The Marksman” Mormeck faced “SuperNova” Bell in the Cruiserweight unification bout. Mormeck came out swinging, landing vicious blows to the head and body of O’Neil Bell. Violent neck snapping jabs and ripping body shots landed on Bell a majority of the first three rounds.
It is a wonder how Bell survived the onslaught that Mormeck administered. Monstrous shots landing on target at any given moment. But is all took a toll on Jean-Marc as he began to breath out of his mouth from the fourth round on. O’Neil Bell began to unleash a bit of furry of his own, causing “The Marksman” to retreat back the ropes on several occasions, and even appeared to stagger Mormeck momentarily. It all came to a dramatic halt in the tenth round, as Bell unleashed a devastating combination to the body and head of Mormeck and he came tumbling down. He could not make the eight count and even laid flat on the canvas out of pure exhaustion. O’Neil “SuperNova” Bell is now the Unified Cruiserweight Champion. Congratulations