REVERE, MA – After virtually 2 years out of motion, welterweight standout “Speedy” Rashidi Ellis (25-1, 16 KOs) made his long-awaited return to the squared circle on Friday, stopping Argentina’s Brian “El Elegante” Chaves (14-6, 5 KOs) after 2 accomplished rounds.
The struggle capped off CES Boxing’s “Halloween Knockout,” an electrical 7-fight card from the Oceanside Occasions Middle in Revere, MA and televised stay on DAZN.
It was only some years in the past that Ellis appeared destined for a world title after beating then fellow undefeated prospect Alexis Rocha on DAZN. As a substitute of a title shot, Ellis was inexplicably shelved by Golden Boy Promotions.
After securing his launch from the corporate in 2022, Rashidi signed with the PBC and returned with a fast first spherical knockout earlier than dropping a razor-thin majority resolution to Venezuelan puncher Roiman Villa one struggle later.
Ellis once more disappeared, his profession stalled as a consequence of contractual points and fights falling via. Slightly than remaining idle, the Lynn, MA native determined to return to his roots, becoming a member of the Group Fight League’s Boston Butchers in April and main the franchise to the semi-finals of their inaugural 12 months, dazzling followers and going 11-1 within the course of.
“I used to be out of the ring virtually 2 years, however becoming a member of the TCL helped me out loads,” mentioned Ellis instantly after the struggle. “Regardless that they had been one spherical fights, I used to be entering into towards good opponents and that stored me sharp.”
Rashidi impressed CES Boxing founder Jimmy Burchfield, Sr. a lot that the promoter determined to signal the 31-year-old to a promotional contract.
Now 10 years after his final struggle within the Boston-area, Rashidi made a triumphant return residence on Friday, this time because the headliner. In 2 brief rounds, Ellis reminded followers of what they had been lacking, displaying the sharpness, velocity, energy and a bit of showboating that made him so enjoyable to look at as a prospect.
In his approach stood Brian Chaves, a usually sturdy fighter who has shared the ring with the likes of Chordale Booker, Vaughn Alexander, and Jeremias Ponce.
Accustomed to beginning quick from his time on the TCL, Rashidi blitzed Chaves from the opening bell, swarming the southpaw with lead proper palms to the pinnacle and punishing left hooks to the physique. Trapped within the impartial nook with 30 seconds left within the opening spherical, “El Elegante” properly selected to take a knee to assemble himself. When he rose, Chaves indicated to his nook that he had injured his proper hand however determined to proceed.
“I used to be getting amped and on the lookout for the knockout immediately, however my coach advised me to cool down and take my time,” admitted Ellis of what coach Alex Rivera advised him between rounds.
A struggle broke out when the motion resumed in spherical 2, nevertheless, as Chaves determined to change fireplace with Ellis. Sadly for the Argentine, he was met with 3 consecutive proper palms that backed him into the ropes, the place Ellis adopted up with hellacious left hooks to the physique and uppercuts.
Chaves survived the onslaught because the spherical got here to an finish, however he knowledgeable the referee that he couldn’t proceed, citing an harm to his proper hand.
“I hoped he would proceed,” mentioned Rashidi. “I used to be screaming to him, ‘another spherical,’ however he mentioned that he harm his hand.”
Together with his comeback win secured, Ellis was in a position to benefit from the victory and take within the hometown love.
“It felt actually good to struggle at residence,” admitted Rashidi. “I at all times mentioned that it doesn’t matter the place I struggle, as a result of the ring is my residence, nevertheless it was totally different combating right here. There’s no place like residence. It was enjoyable. I wish to do it once more.”
Wanting into the long run, Ellis is set to make up for misplaced time and instantly problem the welterweight champions, one by one.
“I need the world titles subsequent,” mentioned Rashidi. “Norman, ‘Boots’, Stanionis, Mario Barrios. I wish to struggle Norman first, as a result of his father was speaking a whole lot of trash, and whoever after that.”
With that, the “Savage with a Smile” let the champions know that this time, he’s not stopping till he wins a world title.
“I’m again on the massive stage. Now I need the belts.”
“Frank the Tank” continues to climb the middleweight rankings
The night time’s co-feature ended prematurely when Boston’s Francis Hogan (18-0, 16 KOs) dropped New Haven, CT veteran Elvin Ayala (29-14-1, 13 KOs) with a physique shot in spherical 2. Ayala appeared to injure his ankle within the fall and was unable to proceed. Time was 0:44 of the spherical.
“I didn’t actually get to point out what I used to be engaged on within the gymnasium,” mentioned a disillusioned Hogan afterwards. “Give it as much as Elvin Ayala. He’s an awesome fighter. It sucks that he harm his knee. I wish to problem anybody at 160 or 154 who needs to get within the ring and bang with me, I’m .”
Undercard Motion
Cork, Eire’s Tommy Hyde improved to 10-0 (7 KOs), stalking Aro Schwartz (23-10, 15 KOs) and beating the German into submission at 1:20 of spherical 3. Now underneath the tutelage of coach Lee Beard, “The Governor” dropped Schwartz with a barrage of punches in spherical 2 earlier than ending issues in spherical 3 with a thunderous proper hand.
Mike “Blessed Southpaw” Fontanez (10-0, 6 KOs) made his CES Boxing debut a powerful one, knocking out Argentina’s Bruno Romay (22-15, 19 KOs) in spherical 4 of a junior middleweight contest. The charismatic Fontanez, of Nashua, NH, repeatedly harm Romay with proper hooks to the physique, lastly dropping and stopping the Buenos Aires native at 0:34 of spherical 4.
Marshfield, MA’s Joe Bush (5-0, 4 KOs) was prolonged the complete 6 rounds for the primary time in his professional profession, outworking Warwick, RI veteran Keenan Raymond (2-11-3) in a welterweight slugfest. Bush, who was making his CES Boxing debut, needed to work via some adversity from the slick Raymond, however gained a transparent resolution by scores of 59-55 (2x) and 58-56.
Fan favourite Matt “The Praying Mantis” Doherty (10-9-1, 5 KOs) gained a battle of attrition in his residence turf, smothering Pittsburgh’s Eric Palmer (15-19-5, 3 KOs) over 6 rounds in a light-weight contest. The struggle was soiled at occasions with headbutts from the dashing Doherty, however he was in a position to land sufficient clear pictures to win a majority resolution by scores of 58-56 (2x) and 57-57.
Dorchester light-weight Tevin Regis (5-0, 4 KOs) acquired the night time off to an thrilling begin, knocking out Yeison Berdugo (0-2) with a devastating proper hand to the chin at 1:03 of spherical one.
Roberto Villa is the CEO, Founder, Govt Author, Senior Editor of FightBook MMA. Has a ardour for Fight Sports activities and in addition a podcast host for Sitting Ringside. He’s additionally a former MMA fighter and Kickboxer.
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