After delivering a third-round knockout of Josec Ruiz last month, welterweight contender “Speedy” Rashidi Ellis (27-1, 18 KOs) is putting the division’s champions on notice: The time for avoiding him is over. The 31 year-old Lynn, Massachusetts native, known for blinding speed plus power, is calling out reigning world champions Brian Norman Jr. (WBO), Mario Barrios (WBC), and Rolando “Rolly” Romero (WBA), daring them to step into the ring to determine who is the best welterweight in the world. [Norman and Barrios currently have fights scheduled. The IBF title is vacant with Jaron Ennis announcing he is moving up in weight].

 

“Brian Norman Jr. has no excuses now,” said Ellis. “‘Boots’ Ennis left the division. He ducked Boots and now he's ducking me.  Don’t talk about me fighting Rohan Polanco while you're racing track stars—come and face the truth.  Let’s show the world who the best is.”

 

This past year, Ellis and Norman seemed poised for a showdown as they traded barbs on social media.  Each delivered highlight-reel knockouts within days of each other: Norman stopping Jin Sasaki in Japan on June 19th, and Ellis dropping Josec Ruiz three times for a third-round stoppage two days later in Massachusetts.

 

“Norman said he’d fight me, then he went quiet,” Ellis continued. “Now he announces a track meet with Devin Haney.  Come on, man.  Real fighters fight.  What are we doing here?”

 

‘The Savage with a Smile’ believes the fans deserve real fights—not carefully curated title defenses. “If you're a real champion, step up and prove it,” Ellis declared. “Mario Barrios is fighting a 46-year-old Manny Pacquiao. Norman’s chasing clout fights.  If you call yourself a world champion, then step up and prove it.  Until you beat me, you can't call yourself the best.”

 

With three straight wins, Rashidi Ellis is on a mission to prove he's the best in the world and he won't be denied any longer.