Michael Gomez Jr. was ready to take on Reece Bellotti

Kevin Maree has quietly built one of the most successful stables in British boxing and the busy manager seems to have an involvement in almost every major show. 

Knocking out Kane Baker in April should have earned the English junior lightweight titleholder, Michael Gomez Jr. (21-1, 6 KOs) a shot at British champion, Reece Bellotti. 

Gomez was offered the chance to box Bellotti last weekend but various factors outside of the ring conspired to make the date unrealistic and Gomez’s former opponent, Levi Giles, stepped in to replace him.

After comfortably defending his belt against Giles, Bellotti talked about other opponents and mentioned his desire to move on to European level. He accused Gomez of “melting” when the fight was presented to him and called him “a mug.”

Gomez’s manager, Maree, told BoxingScene that he was disappointed by Bellotti’s choice of words and that although Gomez was willing to take the fight on just a few weeks notice, he and the Mancunian’s new trainer, Michael Jennings, overruled the headstrong 29-year-old.

“It was a real shame. It was myself and Michael Jennings’ decision not to let him take that fight,” Maree said. “Micheal wanted it but he’s recently had a baby, he wasn’t training and hadn’t been sleeping much. There were other bits and bats too. Plus, he’s just got a new trainer. We decided it wasn’t right for him to take it on short notice after all the work he’s put in to get here. We will always be able to get a fight for the British title in the future.”

Gomez has been a professional for a decade but has finally begun to fulfill his potential and show real consistency over the past couple of years. He won and defended the Central Area title on small hall shows and then collected the English title in a fiery encounter with Giles last year. Knocking out Baker secured his place at domestic title level and he will next appear on the undercard of the fight between Jack Catterall and Regis Prograis which takes place at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena on Aug. 24. 

Aqib Fiaz (12-1, 1 KO) was stopped by Bellotti last year and was recently due to box Baker himself until the fight was pulled at the eleventh hour due to betting irregularities. The situation is currently under investigation and Maree is awaiting the outcome.

“Provided everything gets cleared up, we think a sensible fight for Michael Gomez Jr. is the Fiaz fight in the battle of Manchester while we wait to see what’s happening with the British,” he said.

Maree is also working on securing a major title fight for Jasmina Zapotoczna (8-1).

Last Saturday, the flyweight produced an excellent display to upset the previously undefeated Maisey Rose Courtney at the Copperbox Arena.

The result was no shock to Maree. Earlier this year, the Polish fighter boxed well but lost a bloody battle to Shannon Ryan up at junior bantamweight. Aware that the performance would earn her another opportunity, Maree and Zapotoczna’s trainer, Mark Hurley, immediately made a plan to ensure she would be perfectly prepared to take it. Zapotoczna looked at home back at 112 pounds and comfortably outboxed Courtney.

“Jasmina is a dream to work with. She’s a diamond of the girl who loves the sport. We’ve got a few female boxers, and they’re a pleasure to work with,” Maree said. “Jasmina boxed as an amateur in Poland. She came here and did a bit on the unlicensed scene and was far too good for that to be honest. She’s come through three or four small hall shows in Oldham to get her ready. For this fight we felt there were a few little gaps she needed to fix after the Shannon Ryan fight. We put her on a small hall bill but kept it all under wraps because that was part of the plan for this Maisey Rose fight. It worked.

“The logical fight now would be Chloe Watson [8-0] for the European title. It’s a great fight, and I rate Chloe really highly. They’re friends and they spar, but I just think it makes sense for both of them really.”