Rashidi Ellis TKO4 Javier Fortuna... Welterweight contender "Speedy" Rashidi Ellis (28-1, 18 KOs) of Lynn, Massachusetts continued his climb toward title contention, scoring a fourth-round TKO over former interim champion Javier "El Abejon" Fortuna (39-7-1, 28 KOs) of Braintree, MA. The bout was held over the weekend at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Connecticut. Ellis used his trademark speed and accuracy early, finding openings for his right hand and body attack. Fortuna, a saavy southpaw veteran from the Dominican Republic, looked to frustrate Ellis with movement and counters.  By round three, "Speedy" was in full command.  A blistering left hook to the body dropped Fortuna late in the round, and moments into the fourth, the former champ took a knee citing a shoulder injury, forcing referee Ricky Gonzalez to halt the bout at 1:53 of round four.

 

"Fortuna’s a good, crafty fighter," said Ellis immediately after the bout. "I wish the fight ended differently, but I got the victory. CES has kept me active, and that’s been great. Everyone at 154 is nervous now: Vergil Ortiz, Erickson Lubin, ‘Boots’ Ennis, Charlo, whoever. I’ll fight anyone."