Two of New England’s most decorated amateur boxers of the past decade – Ronald “Akeem” Ellis (6-0, 5 KOs) and “Speedy” Rashidi Ellis – return home to fight as professional boxers for the first time on Saturday night, July 27 (special start time of 5 p.m. ET), at The Royale Nightclub Boston (formerly The Roxy) in downtown Boston.
“The Roxy Homecoming Celebration, headlined by an eight-round light heavyweight bout between Irag War veteran Chris Traietti (13-3, 9 KOs), of Quincy (MA), and Kansas City-invader Dion Stanley (11-5, 7 KOs), is being presented by Big Six Entertainment in association with Cappiello Promotions.
The Ellis brothers are from nearby Lynn, Massachusetts. Ronald, 23, is an undefeated super middleweight prospect who has already fought in Puerto Rico, Texas, California, Virginia and New York. A 2012 National Golden Gloves champion, Ellis now trains in Oxnard, California, under the guidance of former world champion and 2012 Trainer of the Year, Robert Garcia. Ellis meets an opponent to be determined in a six-round bout.
Ronald’s younger brother, 20-year-old welterweight Rashidi, will be making his pro debut in a four-round fight versus former New England title challenger “Steamin'” Josh Beeman (4-12-4, 2 KOs), fighting out of Providence. Rashisi, who was the 2012 National PAL (Police Athletic League) champion, is trained by Alex Rivera from the Somerville Boxing Club.
“We are excited about having the opportunity to work with Akeem and Rashidi,” Big Six Entertainment president Artie DePinho said. “They are both decorated amateurs and extremely talented boxers. Our plan is to showcase the Ellis brothers as we continue to promote shows in Boston and throughout New England. They are both must see fighters who both bring the ‘wow factor’ into the ring.”
Unbeaten Boston welterweight Gabriel Duluc (8-0, 1 KO) faces an opponent to be determined in a six-round fight.
Also scheduled to fight on the undercard in four-round matches is Somerville (MA) super middleweight Jimmy Cappiello (4-3, 1 KO) vs. Pubilo Pena (0-1), of Providence; Irish middleweight John “Buncrana Banger” Hutchinson (3-0-1, 1 KO), now fighting out of Boston, vs. pro-debuting Pedro Gonsales, of Gloucester (MA); Stoughton (MA) light heavyweight Michael Weisberg (3-0, 2 KOs) vs. John Downey (0-2), of Hull (MA); Boston welterweight Greg “The Villain” Vendetti (3-0, 2 KOs) vs. Jose Angel Ortiz (4-12-1, 1 KO), of Springfield (MA); Boston middleweight Matt Phinney making his pro debut vs. Worcester’s Jason Bakanowski (0-1), and a pair Springfield light welterweights, pro-debuting Jose Rodriguez and veteranNoel Garcia (2-18-2, 1 KO).
