Boxing Champ Busted For Hatchet Job

World Cruiserweight Champ O'Neil Bell Accused Of Heaving Hatchet At Sparring Partner

(AP)  World cruiserweight champion O'Neil Bell was arrested over the weekend after a sparring partner claimed he heaved a hatchet at him during a training run through the woods, authorities said.

Bell, 32, was booked Sunday on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, according to a statement by the San Bernardino County sheriff's department.

A telephone listing for Bell was disconnected. He did not immediately respond to an e-mail seeking comment.

Deputies responding to a possible fight off Highway 38 found Bell's sparring partner, 37-year-old Larry Slayton, afraid for his life with cuts from running through the brush, sheriff's spokeswoman Arden Wiltshire said Monday.

Slayton told the deputies Bell had become angry with him during a training session in the woods and threw a hatchet the boxer was carrying for protection against bears. Slayton fled, dodging large rocks Bell threw at him, Wiltshire said.

Bell posted $50,000 bail. Wiltshire did not know whether an arraignment date had been scheduled or if Bell had retained a lawyer.

Bell (26-1-1) was in Big Bear training for a March 17 rematch title fight with Jean-Marc Mormeck in Paris.

Bell defeated Mormeck in January 2006, making him the first undisputed champ in that weight class since Evander Holyfield in 1988. The Jamaican has since lost his IBF title through inactivity.

Big Bear, a popular spot for fighters to train, is located about 90 miles east of downtown Los Angeles in the San Bernardino Mountains.

[Jasonian18]

lol you guys are rejects you don't even know what a hatchet is lol this guy has an anger issue go figure most people today do they just don't know to waht extent.

[mitch0927]

and of course I am a moron as well, since I can't spell, who am I to criticize? It is a small axe, not a knife....

[mitch0927]

Guess you morons don't know what a hatchet is...it isn't a knive it is a small ax....

[candydrop-2009]

what the hell was he mad at to make him want to throw a knife, want to be bad a** as far as boxing and then throwing a knife. I think he had been beat in the head tooooooo many times

[pakaal]

I guess his mommy never told him not to go running with a knife in his hand.

[karen091866]

Guess 1 too many doses of steroids messed this guy's brain up a bit.

mnelsonix... Love your idea for a story!

[dixiebobh]

With all the bad, depressing news today, a comic relief was a blessing.

[mnelsonix]

better story: Man mauled by bear after throwing his only self defense weapon at his partner.