Roiman Mansion beat Rashidi Ellis twice in final round, awarded majority decision in thriller

By: Sean Crose

24-0 Welterweight Rashidi Ellis takes on Roiman Villa 25-1 on Saturday night at Washington DC’s Capital One Arena in a scheduled 12-round bout. While Ellis can boast an impressive record, the man hasn’t competed since 2018. Furthermore, Saturday’s match was an IBF title knockout. In other words, Ellis stepped into the ring on Saturday to impress. First, Ellis went to the early body. However, it was Ellis’ quick and efficient stab that told the story of the round. Indeed, the second saw Ellis continue to deliver the stab, although Villa was now able to reach the man. However, it was Ellis who showed a cleaner, more effective punch.

The third match was near, with Villa at times lurking and landing, although Ellis was the one to throw punches much more often. Ellis increased heat significantly in the fourth half, launching shots at Villa with bad intentions. Villa survived that moment, but simply couldn’t make it up to his quicker, cleaner punches. The action slows down a bit in season six, but Ellis remains in control. By the seventh day, it appeared that Ellis was in control of the cruise. Villa, on the other hand, looks set to have a strong eighth, but he will need to put it a lot more if he is to have any chance of success at that point of the game.

With that said, Villa looks set to go with Ellis in ninth place. Is the talented Ellis starting to look less fresh? Season ten saw Villa take gasoline out of Ellis’ tank with powerful blows. Indeed, Villa’s shots are now landing with a thud. Tired and lacking the traction his punches had preceded, Ellis used an effective retreat in the eleventh round. The two exchanged crisp shots towards the end of the round. Then, early on the 12th, Ellis was screened. He got up, but ran into trouble. Ellis did all she could to stand – but was dropped by Villa at the last ring.

That was enough for Villa to win decisively by majority.