RYAN Garner and Reece Bellotti, two super-featherweight operators known for their silky skills and tremendous punch output, are gearing up to collide on July 26.
The pair will likely lock horns at the Bournemouth International Centre, England, where Garner, 17-0 (8 KOs), claimed his European title with a shutout points victory back in March.
While his opponent, Salvador Jimenez, was far from spectacular, the Southampton technician nonetheless produced a polished performance to seize the vacant EBU belt.
But according to the EBU, ‘The Piranha’ now faces a much sterner assignment against British and Commonwealth champion Bellotti, 20-5 (15 KOs), with their clash headlining a Queensberry-promoted card on the South Coast.
Bellotti secured his two straps following a unanimous decision win over Liam Dillon last year, before making two scintillating title defences against Levi Giles and Michael Gomez Jr.
The 34-year-old’s performance against Gomez, in particular, showcased his superior ring IQ and ruthless finishing instinct, as both of which contributed to a comprehensive 10th-round stoppage victory.
Garner, meanwhile, has also claimed several scalps against domestic opposition, with Dillon and Archie Sharp both suffering wide points defeats to the 27-year-old last year.
But before his victory over Jimenez, the unbeaten champion’s promoter, Queensberry boss Frank Warren, teased a possible showdown at St Mary’s Stadium – home of Southampton Football Club.
That, however, has seemingly been placed on the backburner, as while Garner looks to make the leap up to world level, he must instead defend his European title for the time being.
Either way, his upcoming domestic dustup with Bellotti promises to be nothing short of an all-action barnburner.
