The turning point for DeAndre "The Bull" Latimore turned out to be a simple one. The St. Louis product, who beat top contender Sechew Powell in New York on ESPN2 June 11, knew it was time to leave town after a difficult loss to Ian Gardner about 18 months ago.

Shortly before the fight, Latimore's cousin, Jerry Brandon, was murdered. In addition, friends and family were always around, watching him train, distracting him and placing consistent demands on him. He opted to train in Las Vegas with Kenny Adams, and without that decision, everyone close to Latimore knows he wouldn't be where he is today, primed to move up in the rankings, ever closer to a shot at the title in either the IBF or WBC 154-pound division.

"I had to leave," Latimore said Thursday, in his return to St. Louis. "I just know too many people. I had to get somewhere to be myself and concentrate on what's important."

Harold Petty, who trained Latimore when he was younger, said, "It was the best thing for him to leave here and get focused again. He had everything else."

He showed what he had that June night at the Hard Rock Hotel. He struggled early, looked in trouble in the fifth round, but then rallied to score a technical knockout of the stunned Powell.

Now, Latimore and promoter Steve Smith of Rumble Time Promotions, are waiting to see what happens next.

Latimore was ranked 23rd in the WBC before the Powell fight, and Smith hopes he will move up to 15th. Sergio Mora recently knocked out Verno Forrest to become champion of the division, so a title fight there might not be far off.

The IBF rankings will be out Monday, and it's possible Latimore could end up being ranked fourth or fifth. In the current rankings, St. Louisan Cory Spinks is third. Smith and Latimore would relish a St. Louis fight against Spinks, which could result in a title fight for Latimore if he wins.

While several people believe Latimore needs one more fight before getting a shot at the title, The Bull confidently says, "I know I'm ready."

Said Smith, "We are definitely primed for the title. But if Cory is in the way, we'd love to fight him here."DeAndre "The Bull" Latimore