Gabriel Bell - Atlanta's newest boxing promoter

As a kid watching boxing, Gabriel Bell watched Mike Tyson fighting in his prime and was awed. 

“I mean, what kid wouldn’t want to be like Mike Tyson?” he laughed.

Now at the grown-up age of 43, Gabriel, a licensed electrical contractor, is stepping into the ring as a first-time boxing promoter.

Friday, December 9, at the historic Center Stage in Atlanta, this lifelong fight fan is set to promote his first show, featuring a host of local Atlanta talent. The card, titled “Atlanta Premier Boxing” is scheduled to have nine bouts, including an ABF Intercontinental cruiserweight title fight.

Fight week always brings a certain amount of chaos, and Gabriel hasn’t been immune. 

“It’s really been like a rollercoaster,” he said. “Things will be going right then. There will be things happen that are just all wrong. But it’s been fun, and also an emotional rollercoaster ride.

But Gabriel isn’t alone on this first ride. Helping him through the twists and turns of his first promotion is women’s boxing Hall of Famer and Atlanta promoter Terri Moss, who has been promoting pro and amateur shows for several years. The duo met when Gabriel was searching for venues and ended up at Center Stage. 

“At Center Stage, they told me I needed someone experienced to guide me,” Gabriel admits. “And the first name they gave me was Terri’s. So I called her, we met at her gym, Buckhead Fight Club, and we set up a meeting. We agreed on a partnership, and I even got a gym membership!” 

But Gabriel knew he had a winner in picking Terri Moss. “Terri’s reputation proceeds her,” he said, “and I was surprised she was so receptive and excited to work with me and actually help me promote my dream. I knew I’d be in good hands with Terri. The experience of working with a first-time promoter can be trying, but Terri takes it all in stride, noting Gabriel’s enthusiasm for the event. 

“Gabriel Bell is so excited to do this,” she said. “And he’s been a pleasure to work with.”

Enthusiasm and lots of hard work may pay off this Friday night for Atlanta Premier Boxing."

“We’re expecting this show to be sold out,” he predicted and is optimistic about the future of his boxing ventures in Atlanta. “I’m from Riverside, California originally and the boxing talent there is legendary. I know how important it is to have good local fighters to build. There is real boxing talent in Atlanta, more than I expected, and we can find more.”

Securing that talent and getting it in the spotlight is Gabriel’s ultimate goal. “My plan is to build a solid club show foundation for local fighters to better their records, get the experience and exposure they need to take their careers to the next level, in a really entertaining series of shows. Have more events at Center Stage, and ultimately a venue like State Farm arena, to showcase the talent we know is here."

Thinking back over the decision to become a boxing promoter, Gabriel offered advice to first-time promoters.

“Listen and watch everything around you. When you spend money and sign contracts, account for every transaction. Don’t trust others to spend and count your money. Get involved as much as you possibly can, from creating contracts to matching the fights.

"And above all, in boxing terms, "Protect yourself at all times!"