Latest news with #superfeatherweight
BBC News
a day ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Garner expects 'fireworks' in Bellotti showdown
European super-featherweight champion Ryan Garner has said that people can expect "fireworks" when he fights Reece Bellotti on two will meet for the British, Commonwealth and European super-featherweight titles at the Bournemouth International Centre (BIC). Garner goes into the contest having recently picked up the European title with a victory over Salvador Jimenez in March."It's a massive opportunity for me," Garner told BBC Sport."I can be the first person from Southampton to be British, Commonwealth and European champion, so there's a chance to make history."I have massive respect for Reece but I think I'm better. That being said, this is my biggest challenge by a mile and I'll have to be at my best."It's going to be a very exciting fight and I think we will both bring fireworks, but I'm convinced that I will come away with the win."The 27-year-old is unbeaten as a professional and trains in Southampton with coach Wayne Batten, just a short distance away from the Saints' St Mary's Stadium. Wins against Liam Dillon and Archie Sharp earned him the opportunity to headline in the nearby town of Bournemouth in March at the same venue former WBO cruiserweight champion Chris Billam-Smith fought in three times. Garner and Bellotti's match-up has been tipped to be an exciting one because of their similar styles and attitudes in the men have been known to be in "tear-ups" and like to meet their opponent in the middle of the ring, inflicting a high and consistent output of have also both been recognised for having tremendous engines, not letting up or slowing down in previous 34-year-old Bellotti having five defeats on his record, since moving up in weight he has won six consecutive bouts, picking up the British and Commonwealth titles along the way. Bellotti comes into this contest off the back of an impressive victory over rival Michael Gomez Jr in Manchester, and he will be looking to silence the home supporters."I'm not taking this lightly at all," Garner added."I have to be switched on at all times because If I'm not then it could jeopardise everything that I have worked for, so I'll make sure that won't happen."I believe I'm getting better with every camp and I still think people are yet to see the best of me."I want to be known as the best fighter to have come out of Southampton. I believe I'm destined to fight at St Mary's Stadium and I'm not going to lose or let up on the way to that." Garner 'on verge' of world title fight - Warren Garner's promoter, Frank Warren, told BBC Sport: "If Ryan comes through this then he's on the verge of fighting for a world title in my opinion."Reece Bellotti is a good fighter, and he's going to come into Ryan's backyard - this will be a test for him."I think we're going to get a bit of a barn burner as far as the fight's concerned. I hope he comes through it and if he does we'll be looking to get a title fight on at Southampton's ground."Queensberry Promotions have put on stadium shows for some of their boxers before, with the most recent one a heavyweight showdown at Ipswich Town's Portman Road for Fabio Wardley. The BIC can hold about 4,000 seated people, and in March it was packed out for what was Garner's first major headline show. St Mary's Stadium holds about 32,000 seated spectators, plus more space on the pitch."It would be fantastic for Southampton and Ryan," Warren added."It would be a bit like what we did with Fabio in Ipswich and Josh Warrington in Leeds. There's nothing better than being in front of your own."Hopefully, we can get that world title for him down there. This is a tough test, but I believe he is capable of doing it."There'll be fireworks. It's going to be something special, and the pair of them are going to put on a fantastic night for the fans."
BBC News
3 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Bellotti 'absolutely coming to spoil' Garner's party
Reece Bellotti says he is coming to "spoil the party" when he fights Ryan Garner in Bournemouth on Saturday. The 34-year-old British and Commonwealth super-featherweight champion will travel down to the south coast and compete for the chance to add Garner's blue and gold European strap to his collection. Bellotti has 20 wins and five defeats to his name but since moving up to the 130lbs super-featherweight division he has a perfect six out of six record, picking up his two titles along the way. "Both of our styles are very similar," he told BBC Sport."It's going to be nothing but a great fight in my opinion and I think everyone else agrees."But absolutely I'm coming to spot the party, I wouldn't be here for anything else."Bellotti will step into a packed Bournemouth International Centre where Garner cruised to a convincing unanimous decision win over Salvador Jimenez earlier this year. The build-up to their fight so far has been respectful between the two but "the Bomber", as Bellotti is known, has already had a taste of what the atmosphere could be like on fight night. The two faced off in Garner's hometown at Southampton's St Mary's Stadium, external a few months ago and Bellotti was on the end of some jeers and boos from fans of "the Piranha". "I've dealt with these kind of atmospheres already," Bellotti added."I've been on a few away days across Manchester and Liverpool before and I'm looking forward to the challenge."My mindset is that he [Garner] is the toughest opponent by a mile, others might look at someone like Ray Ford, who's a world champion, and say he is, but for me Garner is the top one and I've trained accordingly." New-found form since moving up in weight Last time out, Bellotti forced rival Michael Gomez Jr to retire after putting him down twice at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester. That contest was originally supposed to take place in October 2024 but was put back to February of this year after Gomez Jr was taken ill on the night and ruled out of the contest by doctors. In the rescheduled bout, despite being cut over the right eye in the sixth round, Bellotti inflicted enough damage to Gomez Jr that he retired in his corner in the 10th. Before his switch to super-featherweight, Bellotti, from Watford, was defeated five times at 125lbs, between 2018 and 2021. But since then he has flourished at his new weight, claiming the iconic Lonsdale belt in 2024 with a victory over Liam Dillon."I believe in myself and I believe I can beat Garner," Bellotti said."People can write me off if they want, they'll see what happens on fight night, I learnt loads from my defeats and I'm better for it now."Mentally and physically I feel the best I've felt in my career right now, experience is key in this and coming up to super featherweight has really helped me, I've become more adaptable and grown as a fighter."
The Independent
27-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Ryan Garner set for Bournemouth return to defend EBU belt against Reece Bellotti
Ryan Garner's next opponent has been confirmed, with the super featherweight set to defend his EBU title against Reece Bellotti. Undefeated Garner, (7-0 (8), picked up the EBU strap in March at the Bournemouth International Centre with a unanimous decision over the then-unbeaten Salvador Jimenez. Fighting out of Southampton, 'The Piranha' is set to travel to neighbouring Bournemouth on 26 July in a voluntary mandatory defence against Bellotti, 20-5 (15). Bellotti holds the the British and Commonwealth titles at super featherweight. Garner had been in talks with fellow Briton James 'Jazza' Dickens, 34-5 (14). Aside from his EBU title, Garner also holds the WBC international strap, having successfully defended it four times since winning it against Juan Jesus Antunez. Garner is seventh in the WBC's ratings and 13th with the IBF. Belotti is ranked 21st by the WBC and is unlisted by the other big three boxing organisations. 27-year-old Garner will hope that victory over Bellotti catapults him higher up the super-featherweight division. The weight class has thrown up some eye-catching bouts recently, with Anthony Cacace and Leigh Wood going head-to-head last weekend. Former IBF and current IBO champion Cacace managed to stop Wood in his own backyard. Garner was twice set to fight Cacace, only for bouts to fall through in April 2022 and November 2023. Garner has since admitted that either fight against Cacace would have come too soon for the Hampshire boxer, who is slowly building to world title contention. Ever since becoming a professional, Garner has been signed to Frank Warren's Queensbury Promotions.
The Independent
27-05-2025
- General
- The Independent
Anthony Cacace speaks on family and his journey in boxing
Anthony Cacace will travel to enemy territory to defend his IBO super featherweigh t at Motorpoint Arena tomorrow. The Belfast man has seen a late career revival, capturing the IBF super featherweight title last year at 36 years old, which he has since vacated. Speaking to Queensberry Promotions, Cacace (23-1) reflected on his journey in boxing and what it means for his family. Four years ago, Cacace captured his unrecognised IBO world title against Michael Magnesi and believes this was the turning point for his career in terms of recognition. He said: 'Four years IBO champion now, so I'm proud of that. From then, the opportunities kind of unfolded and from Simon [ Legg, his manager ] and whatever else coming on board. Things have worked out well. And now I am in the position that all these young kids around my estate. I love them to be watching and say, 'If he can do it, I can do it.'' The IBO champ recently posted a video to his Instagram showing him with some young fans after a run, and he explained what he felt when confronted with the support he has from his community. Cacace explained: 'I felt emotional. I was like wow, my name, my fathers name, Cacace. My father's Italian you know, he's from Sorrento. It's like I've done something for him and for us – our name is cemented.' He continued: 'It makes me happy, and it's not even because people know me. It's just that I am genuinely inspiring the next generation, and I feel it. I feel like I am too.' Family legacy is of great importance to Cacace. He said that taking this fight with Wood is evidence of his focus on wanting to make his family proud and to be remembered in the sport. Enjoy 185+ fights a year on DAZN, the Global Home of Boxing Never miss a fight from top promoters. Watch on your devices anywhere, anytime. See Schedule ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. 'I've made him super proud,' he said. 'I could get emotional now talking about it. It's like my mum, my dad, they've been along the journey with me. All these hard times, and there's been plenty of them.' He added: 'I have accomplished something that's going to live forever. I'm the first Irish, super featherweight champion ever. Anthony Cacace will never be erased from those [history] books and there's nothing that makes me more happy.' Cacace credited his parents with supporting him through financial hardship and making sure that he had what he needed to pursue his dreams and become a champion. Despite insisting this is not the end of the line for him, he admitted he does have one eye on future and being able to spend more time with his family. Cacace said: 'I'm not aiming for a finishing line. It's like, 'Beat Leigh Wood and move on.' Maybe fight for another work title, defend it, and we'll talk then. But I've got three children, and I would love to be able to spend some time with [ them ]. Sign up to a DAZN subscription to watch the very best boxing DAZN is the home of combat sports, broadcasting over 185 fights a year from the world's best promoters, including Matchroom, Queensberry, Golden Boy, Misfits, PFL, BKFC, GLORY and more. An Annual Saver subscription is a one-off cost of £119.99 / $224.99 (for 12 months access), that's just 64p / $1.21 per fight. There is also a Monthly Flex Pass option (cancel any time) at £24.99 / $29.99 per month. It is not just about fight night, a DAZN membership also includes access to documentaries and features, weekly magazine shows, live fight watchalongs, press conferences, weight-ins, open workouts, exclusive interviews and access to training camps, and podcasts and vodcasts.
The Independent
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Who is Leigh Wood: Fight record, stats, next bout and more
Leigh Wood will return to the ring after over eighteen months to challenge Anthony Cacace for the IBO super featherweight title at the Nottingham Arena this weekend. Despite this being Wood's first fight at the super-featherweight limit, a win over Cacace would position him for a shot at one of the 'big four' boxing titles. But it has been far from straight forward for the Nottingham fighter, who has had to pull himself through hard times and setbacks to climb his way to the top table of boxing. Stats Total fights: 31 Record: 28-3 (17 KOs) Rounds: 170 Height: 5' 7' Reach: 67' Early Career Wood made his debut in 2011 and worked his way to a shot at the British super-bantamweight title three years later, suffering a sixth-round knockout loss to Gavin McDonnell. This early setback forced him to re-build, eventually claiming the Midlands Area featherweight title by knocking out Lee Glover in two rounds in 2016. Despite this, Wood was still fighting four- and six-round fights in Midlands small halls before he got his shot at the Commonwealth featherweight title in 2018. After claiming the Commonwealth title and defending it, Wood made the next step up and claimed the WBO European title, beating Ryan Doyle in 2019. Stumbling once again, 'Leigh-thal' lost his European title in 2020 to James Dickens by majority decision. It looked as though it was one step forward and two steps back for Wood – having to bounce back and win the British featherweight title against Reece Mould the next year. World titles In 2021, Wood would receive a career-defining opportunity to challenge for a world title. At the Matchroom HQ Garden in Brentwood, Can Xu's WBA featherweight title was on the line. Wood was a massive underdog coming into the fight, but claimed a dramatic twelfth-round stoppage and his first world title after ten years. But defending a world title is another thing, and Wood's first defence was against Olympic Bronze medallist Michael Conlan in a bout in Nottingham in 2023. Symptomatic of his career, the fight was slipping away from Wood who was dropped in the first round and outboxed for the rest, but he stayed in the fight until the end – rallying in the final round to knock out Conlan in The Ring's 2022 fight of the year. This was not the end of the drama for the Midlands man who suffered a knockout loss of his own against Mauricio Lara in 2023. Five months later, he won an immediate rematch to reclaim his WBA title with a unanimous decision. Woods final fight at featherweight was against his Leeds rival, Josh Warrington, and it was another comeback victory. Down on all three scorecards, he picked a perfect hook followed up by a blistering five-shot combination to put Warrington down and force a referee stoppage.
