REECE Bellotti was supposed to defend his British and Commonwealth super-featherweight titles against Michael Gomez Jr in the Co-op Live Arena last night. Given that it was located in Gomez’s Manchester stomping ground and he had sold a significant number of tickets, it was a big blow to the promotion when Gomez was withdrawn from the contest by doctors at the 11th hour.
“He f****ng melted, pretty simple, there’s no reason for it because that would never happen to me,” blasted Bellotti to Boxing News shortly after the official announcement.
The news hit hard and, naturally, came out of the blue. Fighters pulling out is not a new thing, but it’s unusual after the weigh-in. As Belotti soaked up the big fight atmosphere, Matchroom’s Frank Smith sought him out and revealed that doctors had pulled Gomez out of the contest.
“He’s been here all week, made weight, no inkling to us that he was in any danger or ill or anything, but now you get here and you fall out your arse!” raged Belotti.
“I’m f****ng gutted. I put my body through hell every time I fight, I always do. You see the way I fight. You see that I’m an all-action fighter. I’m there to entertain, put my body through hell to get myself to that stage.”
Manchester, UK: Reece Bellotti and Micahel Gomez Jr, come face to face for the first time in fight week ahead of their British and Commonwealth Super-Featherweight Title Fight at the CoOp Live Arena, Manchester on Saturday. 23 October 2024. Picture By Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing.
Reece also revealed that he had suffered an injury of his own before his July clash with Levi Giles but refused to pull out despite advice from his physio. Back in the Co-op Live Arena, Bellotti spoke to one of Gomez’s managers, who approached him in the dressing room to explain the situation.
“I said, I’m telling you now, right, I’ve only done 40 tickets, yeah, and I’m getting bombarded with abuse from the boys that I’ve sold tickets to, like it’s my fault the fight’s off.
“I said [to Gomez’s manager] he’s done a thousand tickets, now he’s got to go and explain to all them people, ‘oh sorry, my team pulled me out’, you’re a f****ng melt, simple as that. You get in this arena, any fighter out there will tell you the same thing, you get here, you’re fighting.”
Calling into question Gomez’s perceived Mexican warrior mentality, Reece doesn’t expect the fight to be revisited. A December 7 clash with Queensberry’s Ryan Garner could be an alternative route for the fired-up domestic king.
“Everyone knows what I’m about. I’ll fight anybody, I’m not bothered. Hearn will sort the deals out, whatever it is, I don’t care. I just want to fight, I’m gutted I didn’t fight tonight,” he added.
