Reece Bellotti vs Michael Gomez Jr Predictions: Upset king is the favourite

Reece Bellotti defends his British and Commonwealth super featherweight titles against Michael Gomez Jr. this Saturday, October 26. The fight takes place at the Co-Op Live Arena in Manchester on the undercard of Jack Catterall vs Regis Prograis. The event will be shown live on DAZN.

Here are my Bellotti vs Gomez Jr. predictions ahead of this intriguing title fight.

Bellotti is enjoying a late-career revival that few expected when he amassed a 14-5 professional record. Clearly a talent, on the surface it looked like ‘Bomber’ had perhaps squandered that ability. After an initial run of 10 wins and nine knockouts, things started to go awry. But if you dig deeper into those losses you actually uncover a man who suffered for his willingness to fight the toughest competition he could find. 

The five men who have beaten Bellotti enjoy the following honours between them: one world title, two European titles, two Commonwealth titles and two British titles. These are decorated fighters who have competed at the very top. That is a murderer’s row of competition to have faced before you even hit your 20th pro fight.

After a 2022 Southern Area title win over Dean Dodge, Bellotti spent 14 months out of the ring. Since his return, everything has gone the way of the 33-year-old. First came a big win over the rising Youssef Khoumari. Then Bellotti captured the Commonwealth title with a stunning eighth-round stoppage of undefeated prospect Aqib Fiaz.

Bellotti kept the upsets coming when he outpointed unbeaten British champion Liam Dillon to unify the titles. ‘Bomber’ then put the icing on his comeback cake with a wide points nod over Levi Giles. Write Bellotti off at your peril.

Gomez knows what it is like to be written off. The son of Manchester fighting legend Michael Gomez, the 29-year-old had his hopes dented by an early-career defeat. In his 10th fight, the younger Gomez went down on points to journeyman Henry Janes in a six-rounder. Having come into the sport riding big expectations, debuting in the famous Manchester Arena where his Dad fought 11 times, schadenfreude-minded fans were quick to eat up this turn of events.

But Gomez has battled back. For four years, he did not darken the doors of the iconic Manchester Arena. Instead, Gomez’s journey took in sports centres, hotels and theatres. He lived the true small hall experience that makes British boxing what it is. And he improved. Gomez’s game was elevated by fighting not as the gilded son of a legend but as a boxer building his skillset and forging his own identity.

That path through the wilderness eventually brought Gomez home. He emerged back on the national stage with a win over Giles at the Manchester Arena last year. Gomez returned to the building once more in April, picking up the English title with a sixth-round TKO of Kane Baker. That victory has now earned him a shot at the lucrative double-prize of the British and Commonwealth straps. 

This fight finds both men at a career high-point. They have each addressed adversity like true fighters and now they face off for championships and recognition. A proper fight between two boxers of genuine quality awaits.

Reece Bellotti vs Michael Gomez Jr. Fight Odds

Bellotti opens as a 4/6 favourite in this enticing tussle. Gomez is a 5/4 underdog, a position more familiar to his opponent in recent years. A draw is priced at 14/1.

Reece Bellotti vs Michael Gomez Jr. Full Card

Jack Catterall vs Regis Prograis 

Reece Bellotti vs Michael Gomez Jr 

Pat McCormack vs William Andreas Herrera 

Campbell Hatton vs James Flint 

Joe McGrail vs Lewis Morris 

Junaid Bostan vs Maico Sommariva 

William Crolla vs Lorenzo Grasso 

Stephen Clarke vs TBA 

Emily Whitworth vs TBA

Reece Bellotti vs Michael Gomez Jr. Prediction

I fancy Bellotti here. ‘Bomber’ is doing his best work and has raised his level to overcome some of the best super featherweights in the country. Gomez has achieved great things recently, but is not as experienced against top names.

I think this will be a real tear-up and I believe Gomez will hang in there until the end. I also think the 29-year-old will pick up his share of rounds. But not enough to dethrone the champion. My pick is Bellotti by decision at 9/4.

You can find all our latest boxing betting tips and analysis at our Betfred Insights Boxing page and our latest boxing odds here.