MANCHESTER, England – Reece Bellotti had to wait longer than expected to get Michael Gomez Jnr in the ring, but he rid himself of his frustration by stopping him in nine rounds at the Co-op Live Arena.

Bellotti, 20-5 (15 KOs), was originally scheduled to defend his British and Commonwealth junior-lightweight titles against Gomez Jnr, 21-2 (6 KOs), in October at the very same arena, but Gomez Jnr withdrew just hours before their contest because of a kidney infection. Ironically, Bellotti, 34, targeted Gomez Jnr’s body and liver, and dropped him twice before his corner pulled Gomez Jnr out after round nine.

They engaged at the sound of the opening. Gomez Jnr, 30, walked forwards behind a high guard and Bellotti focused on his midsection. In the second round Bellotti elected to allow the bigger Gomez Jnr to push forwards. He picked his shots well, and landed a good right to the body that brought a wince from Gomez Jnr.

In the third, Bellotti continued his hunt of Gomez Jnr’s body and landed two thudding rights that forced him to gasp for air. Bellotti’s work to the body was starting to have an effect and Gomez Jnr was forced to lower his guard in order to protect his midsection. Heading into the fifth, the Mancunian’s ribs were visibly red from the shots he had taken, and it wasn't long before he started to feel the effect further.

Bellotti landed another thudding right, followed by a left, and Gomez Jnr crumpled to the ground. He gasped for air and did well to climb to his feet as the count reached nine. He bravely waved Bellotti on and took another two shots to the body. Gomez Jnr, however, bit down on his gum shield and managed to hear the bell.

He took further punishment to his midsection in the sixth, but as Bellotti came in to land another telling blow they clashed heads, and Gomez Jnr suffered a cut over his right eye. Gomez Jnr had one his best rounds in the seventh, but even as he marched forwards, Bellotti was able to land hard shots to the body.

Bellotti again landed a telling shot to Gomez Jnr’s midsection early in the eighth that forced the local fighter down. Gomez Jnr looked to his corner as he climbed to his feet – he was running out of ideas and in serious pain. The referee Mark Lyson allowed him to continue, and he did well to survive the round.

As Gomez left his stool for the ninth it was clear to see the damage to his torso. His ribs were black and blue from Bellotti’s hard hands. He again took another beating to his body in the ninth and as Gomez sat down for the 10th, his trainer Michael Jennings did what felt inevitable. They refused to allow him out for the 10th, and the referee Lyson waved off the action.