One of New England’s most talented fighters returns to the squared circle this Saturday at Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut, with a plan to put on a show.  “I like to have fun in there,” said welterweight contender “Speedy” Rashidi Ellis, who cites Prince Naseem Hamed, Roy Jones Jr. and Meldrick Taylor among his favorite fighters. Ellis (27-1) will be taking on battle-tested Javier Fortuna (39-6-1) of the Dominican Republic.

Fortuna has fought, among others, Ryan Garcia and ex-champ Joseph “JoJo” Diaz. “He’s a little awkward and crafty, but I’m going to pick him apart,” said Ellis. “He might be a little tricky in the beginning but I’m gonna get him in maybe the fourth round, once I get the timing right.” Fortuna lost his last fight, to Alfredo Santiago earlier this year.

Ellis is on a three-fight win streak- all by stoppage - since losing a majority decision to Roiman Villa in in January 2023. That was an exciting twelve-round IBF title eliminator that seemed to be going Ellis’ way until he hit the canvas twice in the twelfth round. Two judges scored the bout 114-112 for Villa while the third saw it a draw, 113-113. It was Ellis’ first professional setback.

“I’ve been calling for a rematch,” said Ellis, who is from Lynn,Massachusetts. “I even contacted him for a rematch and nothing came of it.”

Ellis admits he’s not a math expert, but he knows basic math, and said if rounds were judged fairly and honestly, he believes he would have walked away with the victory, despite the twelfth round not going his way.  “I won almost every round, and considering it’s a twelve-round fight, it doesn’t add up,” he said.

Ellis said he was never hurt. “I was good,” he said. “They were like flash knockdowns, and I got right back up. You could see it, and the second one was more like a push.”

Every time he comes to the ring, Ellis brings the excitement and seems to be having a lot of fun in there. One of five brothers and sisters, his brother Ronald fights as a pro on the west coast and his sister, Rashida, was a 2020 Olympian. She entered the official pro ranks earlier this month, and before that, fought in Team Combat League competition, winning all 16 of her one-round bouts.

“Our parents, Margaret and Ronald, raised us very tough,” said Ellis, “I guess that helped us out with boxing as well.”

Ellis had nearly 100 amateur fights, was a national P.AL. champion and also won a silver medal at the Independent Cup in the Dominican Republic in 2013, before going pro that year.

Ellis has won some minor and regional belts along the way to his 27-1 (18) record, and he gives them all to “Mama.”

If he wins a world welterweight title belt, might he keep that one on display in his home? “She’s keeping that as well, she gets all of them,” said Ellis. “I’ll probably get a picture of it, but she can have it.”

Ellis has the benefit of being able to train full-time in boxing, without having to juggle training and a full-time job. Asked if he has a manger helping to make that happen, he replied, “I’ve got myself (laughs). I find a way.”

Besides his actual fights, Ellis has gained valuable experience sparring for years with the likes of Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade and Saul “Canelo” Alvarez. He almost got to spar with boxing icon Manny Pacquiao. “I was supposed to go spar him when he was fighting Floyd,” said Ellis. “I got the phone call and everything. They put it in the newspaper, and said I was going to go over there, but something happened. I don’t know what happened. Miscommunication, I’m not sure. I didn’t end up going.”

Ellis has his sights set on the champions of the 147-pound division: Brian Norman Jr. (WBO); Rolando Romero (WBA); Mario Barrios (WBC); and Lewis Crocker (IBF). However, he said he will be keeping a close watch on Norman’s upcoming title defense against former two-division champion Devin Haney, since he is moving up to 147.

Ellis is on the cusp of fighting for a world title, a childhood dream that will likely come true in the very near future. He’s gained a bit of fame but hasn’t let the hype or anything get to his head. Asked how he stays focused as he moves up in the ranks, Ellis responded, “It’s easy for me because I have fun with it. I don’t even look at it as a job for me, so I just have fun with it and stay dedicated, and keep focused, and do what I have to do.”

And getting past Javier Fortuna is part of the mission, a step along the way to greater things. “November 1st, it’s going to be an exciting fight,” said Ellis.

To purchase tickets for “Autumn Classic 2025,” log onto CESFights.com