Third round stoppage hands Watford's Reece Bellotti British Featherweight title eliminator victory over Dai Davies

Headlining the bill at the NXTGEN event, which showcased some of the country’s most promising talent, represents a high water mark in Bellotti’s career.

He arrived at the famous East London venue with an unblemished record, including seven knockouts from eight professional bouts, and rose to the occasion in superb fashion.

From spending the early bouts of the evening watching on from ringside to getting his hands tapped to a backing track of Marvin Gaye and Michael Jackson, Bellotti was the picture of calm throughout.

Only when going through his pre-match warm up – a quick-fire session of glove work which a clutch of reporters were fortunate enough to be privy to – did the 26-year-old’s game face turn on.

He would bring the same intensity to the ring where 33-year-old Davies was outclassed.

The Welshman’s route to an eliminator shot has been far more protracted, and he came into the fight with a less than impressive record of 14-24-2.

Stats can be deceptive, however, and a resurgent few years have seen the Welshman win five of his last six fights.

Picture: Action Images

Aware of the need to respect Davies, Bellotti had spoken of a streetwise quality his opponent offered which he had previously not encountered.

Such concerns proved to be unfounded, as Bellotti’s intelligence kept Davies at arm’s length and allowed him to edge a cagey opening round.

It was a similar story in the second, with Bellotti again controlling matters and offering the first genuine glimpse of the power which belies his 5ft 7in frame.

Connecting with a number of body shots, Bellotti forced Davies back to provide an indication of what was to follow in the following round.

Clever boxing allowed him to connect with a punishing left hook to the body before landing the sweetest of rights to send Davies hurtling to the canvass.

With Davies unable to find his feet, the referee was left with little option but to end the fight and hand Bellotti the ninth victory of a career dripping in promise.