FORMER IBF lightweight world champion Javier “El Abejon” Fortuna (39-6-1, 28 KOs) firmly believes that his experience advantage, in terms of quality opponents and fights, will lead him to an upset of world-rated welterweight “Speedy” Rashidi Ellis (27-1, 12 KOs) on November 1st at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut.
Ellis vs. Fortuna is the 10-round main event on a show presented by CES Boxing, pitting Ellis, a New Englander, versus the crafty 36-year-old Fortuna from the Dominican Republic.
Fortuna has fought four world champions, defeating Cristobal Cruz and Jesus Marcelo Andres Cuellar, in addition to three Olympians, including victories over Bryan Vasquez and Miquel Roman. The Dominican southpaw has also been in the ring with the likes of Ryan Garcia, Robert Easter, Jr., Jason Sosa, Joseph Diaz, Sharif Bogre, Luis Franco, and Patrick Hyland, among others.
Ellis, 32, is a member of a boxing family from Lynn, MA, which also includes two other pro boxers, brother Ronald Ellis (18-5-2, 12 KOs) and sister Rashida (Shakilya) Ellis (1-0, 0 KOs), who was a 2020 U.S. Olympian.
Rated No. 9 in the world by the WBO, Ellis has only lost once as a professional, back on January 7, 2023, when he dropped a 12-round majority decision to Roiman Villa (25-1) in Washington D.C. Yet, Fortuna believes the only quality opponent the lightning-quick Ellis has beaten is Alexis Rocha (16-0 at the time in 2020), by way of a 12-round unanimous decision for the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) International welterweight title.
How does Fortuna nullify Ellis’ quickness?
“Just ask Rashidi if he’s fought anybody like Fortuna has,” Fortuna countered. “He’s a good fighter, but he’s never fought anybody like me. A win opens doors for me, more opportunities. I don’t care about fighting him on his promoter’s card and in his backyard. I don’t care what he does.
“I’m going to take him to school with all the experience I have. I’ve never seen anybody he’s fought other than Rocha. I’m going to win in spectacular fashion!”
Fortuna is training with Mike Reyes at his gym in Marblehead, Massachusetts.
“Javier is going to step in the ring against a long tenured prospect,” Reyes noted, “but the last thing a fighter loses is his power. Javier has power! He’s also comfortable fighting at 147. Rashidi’s chin is questionable and he’s going to be hit. Rashidi is the bigger guy, but Javier is going to take him into deep waters for a big win.”
