WHEN Reece Bellotti is not lacing up his gloves or smashing the pads, he will typically be working behind the scenes of a blockbuster film.
His day job, in that sense, allows him to rub shoulders with the likes of Daniel Craig and Daniel Radcliffe, rather than having to respond to the bellowing orders of Jim McDonnell.
And yet, much like his industrious approach in the ring, the electrician by trade chooses to ignore any distractions, even if they may involve a star-studded cast, and instead focuses all of his energy on the task at hand.
“I’ve worked on hundreds of films,” the 34-year-old told Boxing News. “I’ve done everything from [James] Bond to Harry Potter to… What was that other one? Oh, Wicked. I worked on Wicked. That was a massive set to be fair.
“But once you get into it, it’s all the same. It’s just a film set, and I’m just there to do a job.”
Sure enough, ‘The Bomber’ will be faced with a vastly different assignment at the Bournemouth International Centre, England, tomorrow evening.
Unlike previous occasions, however, Bellotti has been afforded ample notice, which, in turn, means that any time spent away from his day-to-day life as a lighting technician has been invested into his preparation for Ryan Garner.
But in terms of his training sessions, there has been no reason for the British and Commonwealth champion to change the tried and tested formula that he and McDonnell have cultivated over the years.
“It’s the same old routine that we’ve always had,” he said. “It’s been 10 years now, and the boys know exactly what they’re doing.
“Camp’s been hard and tough, but that’s how it’s supposed to be. [That style of training is] not for everyone, but it suits me because I’m the kind of fighter that needs to train at a high intensity.
“It worked for James DeGale, and now it’s working for me.”
Despite building his brand as a destructive puncher, mostly in his earlier fights, Bellotti now chooses to adopt a more measured approach to his craft.
At the same time, though, he acknowledges that European champion Garner, 17-0 (8 KOs), like him, is no stranger when it comes to fighting at a frenetic tempo.
In that sense, the diligent nature of his training is exactly what he needs, preparing his mind and body for all aspects of war.
However, his experience in the away corner should, if nothing else, allow Bellotti to enter a familiar environment, which, especially in recent years, has seen him produce some of his best performances.
“Garner’s style is very similar to mine,” he said. “We both fight at a high pace, so I’m going to need that fitness in my back pocket on Saturday night.
“I’ve certainly improved a lot, and I’m not just a one-trick pony anymore. The power is always going to be there, but now I don’t have to rely on it.
“I’ve been the away fighter for several of my last few fights – [Aqib] Fiaz in Liverpool, and then [Michael] Gomez [Jr] in Manchester – but a ring’s a ring at the end of the day.”
