He’s tall, rangy, has a stiff jab, and good movement. But while those traits allowed him to go undefeated in 28 fights, he believes it also made him too dangerous for some high-profile names to take him on.

However, after years of waiting, the Toledo, Ohio, native is finally getting a shot on the big stage when he faces Andy Cruz on July 18 at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California, in an IBF lightweight eliminator.

"What's delayed is not denied,” Bell wrote on his Instagram account. “I finally get my opportunity to show the world, what a lot of us been knew, and what the masses will soon find out about me.”

Bell’s motivation might be sky high, but so is Cruz’s. The Ring’s No. 4 135-pounder and 2020 Olympic gold medalist was beaten by IBF champion Raymond Muratalla in January. After losing by majority decision, the IBF threw Cruz (6-1, 3 KOs) a lifeline by offering him a fight with Bell, with the winner in line for a mandatory shot at Muratalla.

Bell, 33, figures to be an underdog considering the lack of top-tier competition.

Bell (28-0, 9 KOs) expects everyone to know exactly who he is when it's over.

“I'm that!” he wrote. “You'll see what I mean by that July 18th.”