The Dominican Republic's Javier "El Abejón" Fortuna (39-6-1, 28 KOs) is out to prove he still has plenty of sting left when he returns to the ring on Saturday, November 1st to challenge "Speedy" Rashidi Ellis (27-1, 18 KOs) in a welterweight battle at Connecticut's Mohegan Sun Arena. The ten-round bout co-headlines CES Autumn Classic 2025. Tickets are available at CES Fights, Ticketmaster and the Mohegan Sun Arena website. The first bout is scheduled for 6pm EST. ‘El Abejon,’ or ‘The Hornet,’ is a monicker Fortuna earned in the gym as an amateur. "It’s a nickname they gave me when I was a kid because I was fast and strong, and I would swarm my opponents," says Fortuna. That speed and explosiveness carried Javier from an amateur star to two world titles, making him one of the Dominican Republic’s most accomplished fighters of his generation.

Fortuna’s career began at age 9 in the Dominican city of La Romana, where boxing was practically a family business. "My brother, my uncles and my cousins boxed," recalls Fortuna. "I would fight a lot in the neighborhood and at school, but my brother didn’t want me to box, so I started training behind his back. He only realized that I was boxing when my name was announced during my first fight. I lost that night, but I won the rematch and went six years without losing."

Fortuna went on to represent the Dominican Republic internationally, earning medals in the Pan American Games before turning professional in 2009. Three years later, 'El Abejon' captured the WBA interim featherweight title against previously unbeaten Patrick Hyland on the Juan Manuel Marquez vs. Manny Pacquiao IV undercard in Las Vegas – an achievement that remains his proudest moment. "That fight opened many doors for me," explains Fortuna. "I thought, ‘From here on out we’re going to get down to business: I’m leaving my house to my mom, buying myself a house, and I’m taking care of my family.’"

Fortuna lost that title on the scales in his next fight, a one round blowout of Miguel Zamudio. Feeling that he had outgrown the 126-pound division, Fortuna set out to conquer 130. Six wins later, Javier defeated Bryan Vasquez by unanimous decision in 2015 to win the WBA regular title.

"Guys like Joan Guzman, Claudio Marrero, Juan Carlos Payano, Lenin Castillo, Felix Guzman and I gave a boost to all the young Dominican boxers who are emerging now," says Fortuna of the next wave of Dominican standouts, including Carlos Adames, the Cedeno brothers, Alberto Puello and Rohan Polanco. "These are fighters who are enthusiastic, committed and extraordinarily focused on winning world titles and taking it to the next level. They know that I always support them and if I was able to win 2 world titles, I hope they win 4, 5, and 6 world titles so that they elevate the Dominican Republic on the world stage. I know the sacrifices that a Dominican boxer makes to get to the United States and win a world title. We have to do twice as much as Americans to stand out and even get a corner feature in a magazine."

One American who has struggled to earn a title shot is Fortuna’s opponent on November 1st. Ellis is a talented fighter from Lynn, Massachusetts who took the opposite route. Ellis fought several times in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico as a prospect to build momentum in his career before returning to the United States.

"Rashidi is a tremendous boxer," acknowledges Fortuna. "I used to see him in the gyms in the Dominican Republic years ago when I was at 126 and 130. I compare Rashidi with pure boxers I fought like Derrick Wilson and Yaundale Evans. These are boxers I knocked out early, but they are fast and make you think constantly throughout a fight. It’s been years, but now that I live in Massachusetts, I see him when I train in Boston. He’s an outstanding fighter – he’s very fast, but I've seen him fight on several occasions and I know how to beat him. We’re working on that game plan and preparing to execute it."

Despite facing a career welterweight, the 5’7 Fortuna shrugs off any size disadvantage. "We’re almost the same size," insists Fortuna. "He’s 5’8. It isn’t a big difference, especially when we’re in the ring positioning and exchanging. Besides, I prefer fighting bigger guys."

A veteran of 46 professional fights, the 36-year-old believes experience will be the more important factor on fight night. "I have much more experience than he does," asserts Fortuna. "His best opponent was Romain Villa, which was his only loss. In that fight, Villa used his experience and intelligence to prevail, but that doesn't matter when we fight. I will simply be 100% prepared, he’s going to be 100% prepared, and it’s going to be a great fight. I’ll use my intelligence, my boxing skills, and my experience to put on a good show and leave with the victory."

Fortuna believes that a victory over Ellis will catapult him to one more title shot. "If I win this fight, I’m not going to stay at welterweight for good," he said. "I’m going to go down to 135 or 140, which is my natural weight. I’d like to fight any of the champions at 135 or 140."

Still fierce and focused after 15 years as a professional, Fortuna sees his matchup with Ellis as another chance to remind the world why they call him ‘El Abejón’: "Come see a great fight on November 1st," concludes Fortuna. "Nothing is written in that ring, but I am 100% focused on winning this fight and after that, I will capture a world title in a third weight class."