Atlanta police: Ex-boxing champion O’Neil Bell fatally shot

A former boxing champion in Atlanta was killed during a robbery early Wednesday morning.

Lt. Charles Hampton told reporters four men in the auto confronted two men who had just stepped off a MARTA bus on Harbin Road. They do not believe the suspects knew who Bell was.

According to the Atlanta Police Department, Bell was exiting a city bus when he was set upon by two suspects who then shot the ex-fighter and a fellow commuter before leaving the scene.

Born in Jamaica and known as “Supernova” throughout his career, Bell was the undisputed cruiserweight champion in 2006, winning the World Boxing Council, World Boxing Association and the worldwide Boxing Federation titles after a 10th-round knockout of Jean-Marc Mormeck at Madison Square Garden in NY. Investigators believe that Bell and the man he was robbed alongside were victims of opportunity for the four men. Another man nearby had also been shot but survived. The thieves stole the second victim’s bag before escaping in the stolen ride, police said. The car’s owner had his PT Cruiser swiped when he turned the auto on and went inside briefly.

The Fulton County medical examiner identified the victim in the fatal shooting as O’Neil Bell, 41, of Atlanta. He ended his career with a first-round drubbing of Rico Carson in December of 2011.