Reece Bellotti’s career resurgence has been described as an Indian Summer although his long-time trainer, Jim McDonnell, believes that there could even be more to come for the British and Commonwealth super featherweight champion.
Bellotti, 19-5 (14 KOs), appeared to be on the downslope of a crowd-pleasing career after suffering consecutive defeats to Francesco Grandelli, Jordan Gill and Raymond Ford but rather than giving in, the 33-year-old kept plugging away and is currently in the form of his career having accounted for a string of ambitious prospects over the past three years.
In February, Bellotti finally achieved his dream of winning the British super-featherweight title by outlasting Liam Dillon in a toe-to-toe war. He had a more straightforward night’s work against Levi Giles, 15-2 (4 KOs), on Saturday and retained his titles with a comfortable unanimous decision victory.
Giles was neater and tidier than the aggressive Dillon but – until an all or nothing assault in the fight’s dying seconds – had neither the activity nor weight of punch to seriously trouble the man from Watford.
“The best of Reece may be yet to come,” McDonnell told BoxingScene the morning after.
“He lives the life and his best is coming now. Some fighters are done by 27 or 28 but Reece is getting better.
“I’ve said to a few people that I’ve seen fighters with a lot less ability get a lot less acclaim than I’ve seen Reece get in his whole career. Reece is a real talent.
“If it was gonna be a smooth run, everybody would do it.”
After beating Dillon to win the British title, Bellotti immediately set his gaze on the European title. Having squeezed in a solid defense of his titles against Giles, he now looks certain to recalibrate those sights on new EBU champion, Khalil El Hadri, 19-2 (9 KOs). The Frenchman took the title from Juanfre Gomez last month.
McDonnell has been by Bellotti’s side throughout the ups and downs of his career. The trainer is a renowned fitness fanatic and tests his boxers both physically and mentally before their fights. He knows better than anybody just how much determination it took for Bellotti to maintain his ambition and motivation when things got tough and he believes that that mental strength can take him to greater heights yet.
“He’s so dedicated to the sport and whatever you ask him to do, he does. If he tells you that he’s done something, he’s definitely done it,” McDonnell said.
“What it is with Reece, he’s got a fantastic positive mental attitude. That’s carried him a long way. I’ve read articles before some of his fights where he’s been an underdog and people are doubting him. With some fighters, you’d keep things like that away from them. Reece can read them with a smile on his face. They wouldn’t affect him at all. That positive mental attitude is paying off for him now.”