CES Boxing: Halloween Knockout – Results and Rashidi Ellis’ Triumphant Return
REVERE, MA – After almost 2 years out of action, welterweight standout “Speedy” Rashidi Ellis (25-1, 16 KOs) made his long-awaited return to the squared circle on Friday, stopping Argentina’s Brian “El Elegante” Chaves (14-6, 5 KOs) after 2 completed rounds.
The fight capped off CES Boxing’s “Halloween Knockout,” an electric 7-fight card from the Oceanside Events Center in Revere, MA and televised live on DAZN.
It was only a few years ago that Ellis seemed destined for a world title after beating then fellow undefeated prospect Alexis Rocha on DAZN. Instead of a title shot, Ellis was inexplicably shelved by Golden Boy Promotions.
After securing his release from the company in 2022, Rashidi signed with the PBC and returned with a quick first round knockout before dropping a razor-thin majority decision to Venezuelan puncher Roiman Villa one fight later.
Ellis again disappeared, his career stalled due to contractual issues and fights falling through. Rather than remaining idle, the Lynn, MA native decided to return to his roots, joining the Team Combat League’s Boston Butchers in April and leading the franchise to the semi-finals in their inaugural year, dazzling fans and going 11-1 in the process.
“I was out of the ring almost 2 years, but joining the TCL helped me out a lot,” said Ellis immediately after the fight. “Even though they were one round fights, I was going in against good opponents and that kept me sharp.”
Rashidi impressed CES Boxing founder Jimmy Burchfield, Sr. so much that the promoter decided to sign the 31-year-old to a promotional contract.
Now 10 years after his last fight in the Boston-area, Rashidi made a triumphant return home on Friday, this time as the headliner. In 2 short rounds, Ellis reminded fans of what they were missing, displaying the sharpness, speed, power and a little showboating that made him so fun to watch as a prospect.
In his way stood Brian Chaves, a normally durable fighter who has shared the ring with the likes of Chordale Booker, Vaughn Alexander, and Jeremias Ponce.
Accustomed to starting fast from his time on the TCL, Rashidi blitzed Chaves from the opening bell, swarming the southpaw with lead right hands to the head and punishing left hooks to the body. Trapped in the neutral corner with 30 seconds left in the opening round, “El Elegante” wisely chose to take a knee to gather himself. When he rose, Chaves indicated to his corner that he had injured his right hand but decided to continue.
“I was getting amped and looking for the knockout right away, but my coach told me to settle down and take my time,” admitted Ellis of what trainer Alex Rivera told him between rounds.
A fight broke out when the action resumed in round 2, however, as Chaves decided to exchange fire with Ellis. Unfortunately for the Argentine, he was met with 3 consecutive right hands that backed him into the ropes, where Ellis followed up with hellacious left hooks to the body and uppercuts.
Chaves survived the onslaught as the round came to an end, but he informed the referee that he could not continue, citing an injury to his right hand.
“I was hoping he would continue,” said Rashidi. “I was screaming to him, ‘one more round,’ but he said that he hurt his hand.”
With his comeback win secured, Ellis was able to enjoy the victory and take in the hometown love.
“It felt really good to fight at home,” admitted Rashidi. “I always said that it doesn’t matter where I fight, because the ring is my home, but it was different fighting here. There’s no place like home. It was fun. I want to do it again.”
Looking into the future, Ellis is determined to make up for lost time and immediately challenge the welterweight champions, one at a time.
“I want the world titles next,” said Rashidi. “Norman, ‘Boots’, Stanionis, Mario Barrios. I want to fight Norman first, because his father was talking a lot of trash, and whoever after that.”
With that, the “Savage with a Smile” let the champions know that this time, he’s not stopping until he wins a world title.
“I’m back on the big stage. Now I want the belts.”
“Frank the Tank” continues to climb the middleweight rankings
The night’s co-feature ended prematurely when Boston’s Francis Hogan (18-0, 16 KOs) dropped New Haven, CT veteran Elvin Ayala (29-14-1, 13 KOs) with a body shot in round 2. Ayala appeared to injure his ankle in the fall and was unable to continue. Time was 0:44 of the round.
“I didn’t really get to show what I was working on in the gym,” said a disappointed Hogan afterwards. “Give it up to Elvin Ayala. He’s a great fighter. It sucks that he hurt his knee. I want to challenge anyone at 160 or 154 who wants to get in the ring and bang with me, I’m interested.”
Undercard Action
Cork, Ireland’s Tommy Hyde improved to 10-0 (7 KOs), stalking Aro Schwartz (23-10, 15 KOs) and beating the German into submission at 1:20 of round 3. Now under the tutelage of trainer Lee Beard, “The Governor” dropped Schwartz with a barrage of punches in round 2 before ending matters in round 3 with a thunderous right hand.
Mike “Blessed Southpaw” Fontanez (10-0, 6 KOs) made his CES Boxing debut an impressive one, knocking out Argentina’s Bruno Romay (22-15, 19 KOs) in round 4 of a junior middleweight contest. The charismatic Fontanez, of Nashua, NH, repeatedly hurt Romay with right hooks to the body, finally dropping and stopping the Buenos Aires native at 0:34 of round 4.
Marshfield, MA’s Joe Bush (5-0, 4 KOs) was extended the full 6 rounds for the first time in his pro career, outworking Warwick, RI veteran Keenan Raymond (2-11-3) in a welterweight slugfest. Bush, who was making his CES Boxing debut, had to work through some adversity from the slick Raymond, but won a clear decision by scores of 59-55 (2x) and 58-56.
Fan favorite Matt “The Praying Mantis” Doherty (10-9-1, 5 KOs) won a war of attrition in his home turf, smothering Pittsburgh’s Eric Palmer (15-19-5, 3 KOs) over 6 rounds in a lightweight contest. The fight was dirty at times with headbutts from the rushing Doherty, but he was able to land enough clean shots to win a majority decision by scores of 58-56 (2x) and 57-57.
Dorchester lightweight Tevin Regis (5-0, 4 KOs) got the night off to an exciting start, knocking out Yeison Berdugo (0-2) with a devastating right hand to the chin at 1:03 of round one.
Roberto Villa is the CEO, Founder, Executive Writer, Senior Editor of FightBook MMA. Has a passion for Combat Sports and also a podcast host for Sitting Ringside. He’s also a former MMA fighter and Kickboxer.
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