By Ryan Burton

After having fought just once in 2017 due to an injury, Ronald Ellis (14-0-1) is looking to have big 2018.  His year will kick off on Friday night at the WinnaVegas Casino Resort and Casino in Sloan, Iowa against Junior Younan (13-0) in the main event of a ShoBox quadruple header.

The 29-year-old hasn't been impressed with the limited footage he has seen of his opponent. He is confident that as long he sticks to his game plan that he will leave the ring with the victory.

"It is another opportunity. I have had it before but now I am the main event so it is another step up and I just have to show out so I can get to the Saturday night cards," said Ellis."I really haven't seen too much on him. I really don't have anything to say about him. I just have to put the pressure on him to get the win."

Ellis is a student of the game and knows that at the moment the division is wide open.  He is very aware of who the major players are at 168 pounds and is very confident that he has what it takes to defeat them.

"The division is hot. It is stacked in a way. They got a lot of fighters. I respect a few fighters but with that being said I fear no man. It is wide open. We can all have fun in that weight class. They got (Ronald) Gavril, the guy Caleb (Truax) and other guys so let's go. It doesn't matter which belt I get but that one Caleb has - I remember when Hagler had it when I was a kid so that is one I want. That David Benavidez guy has got one too so let's see what he does with Gavril (in their February 17th rematch). I want to line that up in the future," Ellis told BoxingScene.com.

If everything goes Ellis' way he believes a victory over Younan will be the fight that launches his career. He believes a win over the unbeaten prospect will catapult him towards an elimination fight and then a shot at a super middleweight title.

"That is exactly how I see it. That is what we are looking at. Get this win and get an eliminator. In my last fight I just had to get the win and not look great because (Christopher) Brooker was real awkward and this time we just need to go in there and show out," he explained.

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