IT’s fair to say that Albert Bell is overdue for a world title shot. Boxing for the second time at lightweight, the gangly Toledo boxer features on a Pulse Boxing promotion in his native Ohio tomorrow evening.
The fact that his 10-round headline clash with Keith Hunter is on niche online network Millions.co shows the struggles ‘Prince’ Bell has had trying to break through to the big time.
Winning the vacant IBF International and WBA-NABA lightweight titles will put Bell in the running for an eliminator or perhaps a direct shot at one of the world titles if he gets his way. At 27-0 with 9 KOs, it’s time for the 32-year-old to hit that peak before someone pushes him off the mountain altogether.
“It’s just another day at the office,” Bell told WTOL when asked about the pressure of boxing on the cusp of a world title shot.
Bell is unperturbed by Hunter’s perceived smack talk on the live call they did in the build-up to the bout, describing it as “banter” while promising that Saturday night is when they do all their talking in the ring.
Two years ago, in August 2023, 23-0 Bell was busy topping an Overtime Boxing card in Atlanta, live on DAZN. Using his clear physical advantages over the squat Presco Carcosia, it’s difficult to see how Bell ever attempted to make the 130-pound weight limit.
Employing his whipping left jab to maintain distance, Bell was able to keep Carcosia at bay, bust him up and break him down for a fifth-round retirement. Las Vegas-based Hunter has similar dimensions to Bell, so he presents a different puzzle to the minuscule Carcosia.
The following night after Bell defeated Carcosia in Georgia, WBO super-featherweight champ Emanuel Navarrete widely outpointed Oscar Valdez in Glendale. Bell was highly ranked and primed for a shot at Navarrete that never arrived.
Blessed with reasonably heavy hands, the last meaningful fight Keith Hunter (pictured below) took was an eight-rounder with prospect Rohan Polanco on ESPN at the close of 2023. That tilt, on the undercard of Robeisy Ramirez’s surprise defeat to Rafael Espinoza, ended in a sixth-round stoppage loss.
It was up at the 140-pound weight limit. Both of these man have been flitting around trying to find a division that suits best. Hunter, who had been busy dabbling in the one-round Total Combat League, with moderate success, is now back down at 135. Against Polanco, Hunter worked hard just to keep the fight favourite off him.
A stringbean at super-lightweight, it can’t be any easier for Hunter to make 135 than it was 140, one would imagine. His long levers did their job to a level, before Dominican Olympian Polanco landed a thudding left hook, followed by a two-fisted assault that prompted the referee’s intervention in round six.
That intervention, by Christopher Young, seemed premature and Hunter was rightly enraged by the decision. Rocking up here with a 16-2 (10 KOs) slate, Hunter is the kind of character who always turns up in shape and will fancy he can grab a big-time scalp.
While it’s not a marking time fight for Bell, who is long past such assignments, it’s another one he needs to win and look good doing so to keep the squeaky wheels of the train somewhat on track. The Millions website today, a bigger platform tomorrow. That’s the plan. A statement, while nice, would probably make him even harder to match.
Albert Bell vs. Keith Hunter Fight Prediction
It’s all set up for Bell to get the win here, likely by points. Lacking the promotional backing to kick down doors, it surely has to be only a matter of time before the Toledo man gets the call from a Matchroom or Top Rank to jump on as a B-side and prove his worth.
Bell is currently ranked 18th by BoxRec, eighth by the IBF and 11th by the WBO in a division packed with undefeated fighters. Lucas Bahdi (BoxRec #15) improved to 20-0 last weekend on an MVP show. Argentine puncher Alan Abel Chaves is one place above him with a 20-0 slate. California-based Mongolian Tsendbaatar Erdenebat is 13-0 and also ranked in the top 15.
These are the kind of fights you’d love to see Bell involved in. He has talent, lives the boxing lifestyle and gives back a lot to the local community. There’s much to like about Albert, who just lacks the fizz of star power.
I back him to get past Hunter tomorrow evening on points after 30 hard minutes of work. Despite having two rankings-bolstering belts, don’t expect the life-changing call to come anytime soon, unfortunately.
Albert Bell vs. Keith Hunter Undercard
UK fight fans may recall Tyler McCreary, who lost to Carl Frampton in 2019, in what was the first of his two career losses. McCreary showed guts to hear the final bell that evening. He should have a more straightforward evening against Derrick Murray over eight rounds here.
Still rumbling along at 43, heavyweight Devin Vargas has become a bit of a punching bag lately, sporting a 22-11 record. This hometown outing versus Santander Silgado gives him the chance to get back into the win column after five straight losses. He is expected to retire after this outing.
Elsewhere, another heavyweight, James Evans, takes on Vercell Webster over six rounds and Dante Benjamin meets Victor Hugo Exner at light-heavyweight in a six.
