Once-beaten welterweight Rashidi Ellis remains on the road back from his majority decision loss to Roiman Villa in January 2023.
Ellis, a 31-year-old from Massachusetts, will fight for the second time since then, headlining on February 15 at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut. He will face Jose Angulo.
Ellis won his first 24 fights, including a unanimous decision over the previously undefeated Alexis Rocha in October 2020. But he was upset by Villa on the undercard of Gervonta Davis vs. Hector Garcia. Villa dropped Ellis twice in the final round, which proved to be the difference on the scorecards.
Two judges had the fight 114-112 for Villa while the third judge scored it even at 113-113. Had Ellis instead won the 12th – and prevented the 10-7 round – the tallies would have been 115-113 (twice) 116-112, all for Ellis.
The victory landed Villa a fight with Jaron “Boots” Ennis in July 2023; Villa lost to Ennis via 10th-round knockout.
As for Ellis, he spent more than 21 months out of the ring before returning in October, stopping the 14-5 Brian Damian Chaves after two rounds. He is now 25-1 (16 KOs).
Angulo, a 28-year-old from Ecuador, is 16-9 (9 KOs). He has been fodder for a number of fighters, including prospects Cain Sandoval and Ernesto Mercado.
The show, promoted by CES Boxing, also is scheduled to include featherweight Carlos Gonzalez, 14-0 (13 KOs), against Alexander Espinoza, 23-6-2 (8 KOs); featherweight Ricky De Los Santos, 12-1 (3 KOs), against Kevin Walsh, 15-0 (8 KOs), and several prospects.
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