Former IBF lightweight world champion Javier “El Abejon” Fortuna (39-6-1, 28 KOs) is backing his experience to pull off an upset against world-rated welterweight Rashidi “Speedy” Ellis (27-1, 12 KOs) on November 1 at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut.
The 10-round main event, presented by CES Boxing, pits Ellis, a New England native, against the crafty 36-year-old Dominican southpaw. Fortuna believes his extensive experience against top-tier competition will give him the edge.
Fortuna’s resume is impressive: he has faced four world champions, defeating Cristobal Cruz and Jesus Marcelo Andres Cuellar, and has also beaten three Olympians, including Bryan Vasquez and Miquel Roman. In addition, Fortuna has shared the ring with the likes of Ryan Garcia, Robert Easter Jr., Jason Sosa, Joseph Diaz, Sharif Bogre, Luis Franco, and Patrick Hyland.
Ellis, 32, hails from a boxing family in Lynn, Massachusetts, which includes brother Ronald Ellis (18-5-2, 12 KOs) and sister Rashida (Shakilya) Ellis (1-0, 0 KOs), a 2020 U.S. Olympian. Ranked No. 9 by the WBO, Ellis has only one professional loss, a 12-round majority decision to Roiman Villa on January 7, 2023. Fortuna, however, believes Ellis’ only significant win was against Alexis Rocha (16-0 at the time) in 2020 for the WBC International welterweight title.
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When asked how he plans to counter Ellis’ speed, Fortuna was confident: “Just ask Rashidi if he’s fought anybody like Fortuna has. 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 under Mike Reyes at his gym in Marblehead, Massachusetts. Reyes emphasized his fighter’s strengths: “Javier is going to step in the ring against a long-tenured prospect, 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’s the bigger guy, but Javier is going to take him into deep waters for a big win.”
