On Friday, December 13, 2016, Rashidi Ellis (17-0, 12 KOs) knocked out Eddie Gomez (19-2, 12 KOs) to win the IBF North American Welterweight title at the Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, California.
The scheduled 10-round fight was the co-main event of a three-fight HBO Latino telecast in the U.S. Headlining the card was a scheduled 10-round fight between Vyacheslav Shabranskyy and Sullivan Barrera.
The fight only lasted one round. In that first round, Ellis unleashed a series of quick jabs.
From the first few seconds, it was clear that Ellis had a distinct speed advantage against Gomez. Ellis used this speed advantage to quickly take control of the fight.
Gomez tried to counter the jab with right hands and hooks. However, he often came up short in his counter-punching offense. Instead, Gomez himself was countered with a one-two, which immediately dropped Gomez.
Gomez, as he got back to his feet, was extremely hurt, and, after a strong flurry by Ellis, Gomez was quickly stopped.
“It’s been a long time since I was able to get a knock out in the first round,” said Ellis.
“I told my team I was going to win, and I entered the ring with confidence. When I landed that first jab, I felt an urgency,” said Ellis.
“I could see it in his eyes that he knew I was going to win. Now with this belt, I feel like I can take anyone,” said Ellis.
Ellis, 23, is a resident of Lynn, Massachusetts who is quickly rising in the Welterweight rankings after making his debut in 2013. Ellis was one of the first fighters to be signed by Golden Boy Promotions in 2016.
After tonight’s highlight-reel knockout on HBO Latino, he is on his way to becoming a solid contender.
As for Eddie Gomez, a 24-year-old of New York, he will have to re-asses his career after losing devastatingly against Ellis.
“I am at a loss of words,” said Gomez. “I just don’t know how this happened.”
This was the second loss of his career. Ellis’ first loss was against Francisco Santana by unanimous decision in 2014. Since then, he had fought three times, but against lower-tier opposition.
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Photo courtesy of HBO Latino
