Andi Purewal speaks to a pasta-loving British and Commonwealth king who loves to get into a scrap.
Name: Reece Bellotti
Age: 33
Division: Super-featherweight
From: Watford
Height: 5ft 7ins
Stance: Orthodox
Record: 19-5, 14 KOs
Titles: British and Commonwealth super-featherweight champion
Trained by: Jim McDonnell
When and why you started boxing:
I boxed when I was 15. I used to love fighting at school and my mum and dad sent me down to hone my ability.
Favourite all-time fighter:
Joe Calzaghe.
Best fight you’ve seen:
Beterbiev-Bivol. I thought that was a really good fight. Really enjoyed that.
Personal career highlight:
Winning the British super-featherweight title against Liam Dillon.
Toughest opponent:
Ryan Walsh.
Best and worst attributes as a boxer:
My keenness to get into a fight is probably one of my worst. My best attribute is probably my ability to adapt.
Training tip:
Always train hard.
Favourite meal/restaurant
I’m Italian so I love pasta. I’d go with Spaghetti Bolognese. Bit boring but that’s the way it is.
Best friend in boxing:
That’s a very tough question because I know whatever I say someone else will say, “What about me?” I’d have to say Jim McDonnell.
Which other athlete would you like to be:
I do like Mo Farah because I like my running.
Who would play you in a film of your life:
Tom Hardy.
What one thing would you change in boxing:
The money all around the sport. I think every fighter should get paid way more than they do.
Have you ever been starstruck:
I haven’t. I’ve been lucky in my work life because I work around a lot of film people. I don’t really get starstruck.
Last time you cried:
At my nan’s funeral.
Something not many people know about you:
I’m not overly keen on football. I follow teams but football’s not my thing.
