Royston Barney-Smith proved his promise while cruising to a wide 10-round points victory over Reece Bellotti in Dublin, Ireland. The scorecards read 100-90, 99-91 and 98-92.
It was beforehand suggested, by the DAZN commentary team, that Barney-Smith might be the best up-and-comer in Britain. That remains hyperbole for now.
What couldn’t be argued, however, was that in Reece Bellotti, 22-8 (15 KOs), Barney-Smith was meeting his toughest test.
Like with all supposed toughest tests for prospects, however, there were obvious caveats beforehand. Like Bellotti’s age (35) and his recent form, for example. Bellotti came into tonight’s bout riding two consecutive losses, to Josh Padley and Ryan Garner. Good company, granted, but the writing was likely always on the wall.
A left hand, hurled in the first 20 seconds, caused Bellotti to grip tightly onto his gumshield. A subsequent right hand from the rapid-fire Barney-Smith made Bellotti straighten his legs to disguise any wobble.
It was quite the start for the 22-year-old.
“RBS” continued to dominate in the second round. A lead left uppercut from the southpaw then likely made Bellotti question his life choices. And the feet of the Ben Davison-trained starlet were also causing the former British and Commonwealth junior lightweight champion problems.
Bellotti, not so long ago a fighter on the rise himself, eased into his role as gatekeeper. The man from Watford, England – a known puncher – planted his feet in the third round while attempting to assert some semblance of competitiveness into proceedings. The body of the youngster was Bellotti’s favored target and, though he hit it now and again, the uphill task only seemed to be getting steeper with each passing round.
The underdog, giving it his all, scored with a tidy right hand in the fourth. But Barney-Smith didn’t blink. Instead, he nestled on to the tips of his toes, moved inside and out, and fired quick combinations. The youngster, confident but not overly so, ended the session by spearing a right and left into his opponent’s face.
Barney-Smith, now a junior lightweight contender, continued to control proceedings through the second half.
As toughest tests go, Bellotti proved his worth. Head down and bulling forward, he again raided his rival’s midsection.
The favorite was forced onto the ropes where he took his time, remained alert, and counter-punched on instinct.
Barney-Smith may not be Britain’s leading youngster, but he again proved himself to be one to watch.
Jono Carroll, another comparative old-timer, was called out in the aftermath.