Saturday 3 February 2018 23:50, UK
Reece Bellotti produced a mature and explosive performance as he successfully made the first defence of his Commonwealth title by halting Ben Jones at The O2.
The unbeaten Watford featherweight again demonstrated his immense power, recording his eleventh stoppage from his 12 wins so far in the paid ranks, a cracking right sending Jones to the floor in the sixth before the referee imminently waved off the contest.
The champion appeared relaxed and measured from the first bell to the last and he had the 35-year-old Jones cut in a frantic and one-sided opener.
'Bomber', wary of the threat posed by Crawley's Jones, continued on the front foot in the next and patiently worked into range to land some thoughtful blows to both the head and body.
Bellotti, who has perhaps been overeager and reckless in previous outings, maintained a level-headed and calm approach and he soon forced his experienced counterpart to take a knee after a crunching left landed to the body in the fourth.
The 35-year-old quickly returned to his feet and fought his way back into the contest in the following periods, but Bellotti continued to hammer home vicious blows to the midriff section.
It was a disciplined showing from the champion and the 27-year-old sealed the deal in style, marching out for the sixth and launching out a hammering right that brought about a sudden end to the fight
Speaking afterwards, Bellotti said: "I wanted to show my boxing skills in there, I'm not just a puncher. The timing was there, we've practised that finishing shot.
"I want to improve as a boxer. The body shots hurt more than chin shots, eventually we knew the body blows would slow him down.
"I'll fight anyone, I want to win titles, I just like fighting and want to get back in there as soon as."
