REVERE — After almost two years out of action, welterweight standout “Speedy” Rashidi Ellis (25-1, 16 KOs), of Lynn, made his long-awaited return to the squared circle, stopping Argentina’s Brian “El Elegante” Chaves (14-6, 5 KOs) after two completed rounds.
The fight capped off CES Boxing’s “Halloween Knockout,” an electric seven-fight card from the Oceanside Events Center in Revere 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 native decided to return to his roots, joining the Team Combat League’s Boston Butchers in April and leading the franchise to the semifinals in their inaugural year, dazzling fans and going 11-1 in the process.
“I was out of the ring for almost two 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 two short rounds, Ellis reminded fans what they were missing, displaying sharpness, speed, power and a little showboating.
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 three 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 enjoyed the victory and took 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,” Rashidi said. “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,” Rashidi said. “Now I want the belts.”
