Reece Bellotti’s sights are set on winning the “best looking belt in boxing” when he gets into the ring on a big night for the sport in Watford tomorrow.
The South Oxhey fighter is bidding to add the British Super Flyweight title to his Commonwealth crown when he faces defending domestic champion Liam Dillon in front of a global television audience live on DAZN at Indigo at the 02.
Fellow Watford boxer Shannon Ryan is also fighting on the Matchroom NextGen card and will hope to win her first professional belt when she takes on Jasmina Zapotoczna for the WBA International Super Flyweight strap.
- Two Watford boxers to fight for British titles on same card
- Bellotti eyes British title glory after winning Commonwealth crown
‘Bomber’ Belotti goes into the contest off the back of three consecutive victories, having won the Commonwealth crown in his last outing when he stopped Aqib Fiaz in eight rounds at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool.
But the 33-year-old has made no secret of the fact that the British title is the one he’s always wanted, having fought for the Featherweight version of the belt in 2018 when he was beaten by Ryan Walsh.
“I was after it against Walsh and he obviously beat me, he’s a good fighter, but anyone that starts boxing, mainly they want to win the British title,” Bellotti said at the pre-fight press conference. “It’s the best-looking belt in boxing, it’s a title I’ve always wanted to win and I’ve got the chance Saturday night.
“My confidence is high, really high. I’ve been written off kind of thing, but I’ve had three back-to-back wins against good fighters – I probably wasn’t expected to win those fighters either and won them in good style. Dillon’s style and my style are bound to gel really well and it will be a great fight.”
Ryan, whose nickname is ‘Kaos’, had been due to face Emma Dolan for the British and Commonwealth Super-Flyweight title, but that fight was cancelled due to the defending champion being unwell.
Instead, the 27-year-old, who is managed by Anthony Joshua’s 258 Management company, will be aiming to continue the impressive start to her professional career against the fellow British fighter, who was born in Poland.
Ryan admitted she was disappointed when she heard the Dolan fight was off, but is pleased to still have the opportunity to fight with a title on the line.
It will also be the first time she’s fought over ten rounds and it’s a challenge she’s relishing.
She said: “I think the ten rounds will suit me well. When I was doing the eights previously I was cruising through them. The two minutes is what we have to do, it’s quite short, I would like three but I think ten twos will suit me perfect and I’m looking forward to it.
“What do I believe will happen? You’re going to get a spicy performance, I’m still sharp, I’m super strong right now. My IQ has increased, I’ve improved yet again and, yeah, I can’t wait for you to all to see just pure Kaos in the ring.”
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