In a battle that showcased determination and resilience, Reece Bellotti emerged victorious against Liam Dillon, breaking his unbeaten streak in a thrilling British junior lightweight title fight. The showdown occurred at the Indigo at The O2 in London, with Bellotti securing the win unanimously with scores of 117-111, 117-112, and 116-112 on Saturday's DAZN broadcast.
Despite Dillon's early aggression and activity in the opening rounds, Bellotti capitalized on defensive lapses, particularly in an exchange along the ropes where he found success with a devastating uppercut followed by a left hook to Dillon's exposed chin.
Bellotti maintained his momentum as the fight progressed, utilizing a combination of in-and-out movement and precise counterpunching to keep Dillon at bay. Dillon, however, demonstrated resilience and heart, rallying with occasional flurries throughout the bout.
Bellotti's commitment to body shots effectively wore down Dillon, whose fatigue became increasingly evident as the fight continued. Despite a late rally from Dillon in the twelfth round, Bellotti's lead proved insurmountable, securing him the victory and improving his record to 18-5 with 14 knockouts.
This victory marked Bellotti's second consecutive win over an undefeated opponent following his eighth-round stoppage of Aqib Fiaz, who boasted a perfect 12-0 record at the time of their clash in Liverpool on October 21.
While Dillon may have suffered his first defeat, his valiant effort and determination throughout the fight were commendable, reflecting the true spirit of a warrior in the ring.
Ultimately, Bellotti's strategic prowess and unwavering determination proved decisive, cementing his status as a formidable force in the British junior lightweight division and setting the stage for future triumphs in his boxing career.