Pedigree proved to be stronger than bloodlines tonight at the A La Carte Event Pavilion in Tampa, FL when top welterweight prospect Keith Thurman 7-0-0(7KO) knocked out previously undefeated Omar Bell 6-1-0(4OK) in just over a minute of the first round. 

Omar Bell is the brother of former undisputed cruiser weight champion O’Neil Bell.  

Bell started off looking to keep Thurman away by using his tremendous height and reach. It was only a matter of time before Thurman was able to land a huge left hook to hurt Bell, mmediately followed up by a sharp right hand that sent him crashing to the canvas. 

Bell was on the canvas, completely out for five minutes before doctors were able to help him out of the ring.  Bell was taken to the hospital for precautionary measures and was released later in the night. 

 

Carlos Rivera (14-3-0) stopped Juan Cruz (5-4-0) of Puerto Rico in six rounds in the main event. Rivera landed a big right dropping Cruz in the sixth.  After coming to his feet a vicious onslaught from Rivera stopped Cruz in his tracks giving Rivera the win by TKO.

 

Ahsandi Gibbs (9-0-0) won a hard fought unanimous decision over Marvin Blair (2-1-1) after being knocked down in the first round.  In a bloody back and forth struggle Gibbs was able to knock down Blair in the sixth round on route to a unanimous decision. 

The judges all scored the bout 57-55.

Other results:

Nick Ianuzzi (9-0-0) knocked out Troy Griffin (2-1-0) in the first round.

 

Manny Cortessis (2-0-0) and Laquel Flemming (1-1-1) fought to a draw.

 

Reynaldo Cepeda (1-0-0) from Cuba made an impressive debut by knocking out Brandon Reed (0-2-0) in the first round.  Watch for this Pete Fernandez protege to make a huge splash in the welterweight division.