Javier “El Abejon” Fortuna, the former IBF lightweight champion, has promised to give “Speedy” Rashidi Ellis a boxing education on November 1.
They will meet at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut with former champ Fortuna, 39-6-1 (28 KOs) headlining the CES boxing show in a 10-rounder against New England’s Ellis, who is 27-1 (18 KOs).
“He’s a good fighter, but he’s never fought anybody like me,” said the veteran former champion. “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 [Alexis] Rocha. I’m going to win in spectacular fashion.”
Fortuna has been working with Mike Reyes at his gym in Marblehead, Massachusetts.
“Javier is going to step in the ring against a long tenured prospect,” Reyes acknowledged. “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 is the bigger guy, but Javier is going to take him into deep waters for a big win.”
Fortuna, 36, was stopped in the eight by Alfredo Santiago back in March, decisioned by Robbie Davies in Belfast in 2024 and stopped in six by Ryan Garcia in 2022.
His last two wins were both second-round knockouts, and the Dominican southpaw has also fought the likes of Jojo Diaz, Sharif Bogere, Robert Easter Jnr, and Nicolas Polanco.
Ellis is 32 and has lost just once, to Romain Villa in 2023 via majority decision.
