Rashidi Ellis scores 'speedy' stoppage of Javier Fortuna at Mohegan Sun

Rashidi Ellis lived up to his “Speedy” nickname on Saturday, scoring the quickest ever stoppage of former titleholder Javier Fortuna at Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut.

Ellis, 28-1 (18 KOs), dropped the southpaw in the third with a left hook to the body, and then was declared the winner at 1:53 of the following round after Fortuna took a knee, citing a shoulder injury.

“I wish the fight ended differently, but I got the victory,” said Ellis, 32, of Lynn, Massachusetts.

“Everyone at 154 is nervous now: Vergil Ortiz, Erickson Lubin, ‘Boots’ Ennis, Charlo, whoever. I’ll fight anyone."

The 36-year-old Fortuna, 39-7-1 (28 KOs), of Braintree, Massachusetts, has now been stopped four times, with the second fastest being his sixth round knockout loss to Ryan Garcia in 2022.

In the co-featured bout of a CES Promotions card, Kevin “The King” Walsh, 19-0 (10 KOs), remained undefeated with a unanimous decision victory over Brooklyn’s Jose Sosa, 8-2 (6 KOs), in an eight-round lightweight fight. The scores were 77-74 on two cards and 76-75 on the third. There was only one knockdown in the bout, Sosa being dropped by a right hand at the end of the fourth round, which proved the difference on one scorecard.

“Hats off to Jose Sosa and his team," said Walsh. "He’s a tough kid, but there’s only one king. I’ve got these silver titles – now I want gold. I’m 19-0 and ready for a world title. Nick Ball, Stephen Fulton – let’s go!”

In other action, Polish prospect Slawomir Bohdziewicz, 7-0 (6 KOs), of Stamford, Connecticut kept his unbeaten run intact, stopping Cesar Ugarte, 6-6 (6 KOs), at 1:21 of round two with a body shot.