REECE BELLOTTI and Michael Gomez Jr will need to wait until February 15 before settling their rivalry.
The two super featherweights were originally slated to face one another on October 26 at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena on the Jack Catterall-Regis Prograis undercard. And everything had been all systems go until just over an hour before first bell when Gomez, 21-1 (6 KOs), pulled out of the fight after a doctor diagnosed him with a kidney infection.
Gomez’s manager Kevin Maree posted on social media that night with more details.
“Upon arriving at the arena, we were concerned about Michael Gomez Jnr’s condition. Noticing several signs we were not happy with, we requested a thorough examination from the doctor.
“After conducting tests, including a urine analysis, the doctor confirmed that he has an infection and is unable to box.
“Michael is understandably heartbroken, but this is why we rely on medical experts to make these crucial decisions for the safety of the fighters.
“Thoughts also with Reece Bellotti and his team. Both lads have conducted themselves fantastically in the build-up and it’s devastating for both.”
Afterwards, Bellotti, 19-5 (14 KOs), spoke to Boxing News about Gomez’s withdrawal.
“He f*****g melted, pretty simple. There’s no other reason for it because that would never happen to me. I’m f*****g gutted. I put my body through hell every time I fight. I put my body through hell to get to that stage.”
Bellotti and Gomez Jr will now get their hands on one another at the same venue and on another Jack Catterall undercard when ‘El Gato’ faces Arnold Barboza in the main event. Bellotti will defend his British and Commonwealth super featherweight titles against Gomez as he looks to continue his rich vein of form which has led to a five-fight winning streak since losing to Raymond Ford in August 2021. Gomez, however, is yet to face anyone of Bellotti’s calibre with wins over Levi Giles and Kane Baker the standouts on his record.
