By Eric Lunger
This Friday’s edition of ShoBox: The Next Generation features a clash of exciting prospects in the super welterweight division, as Junior Younan (13-0, 9 KOs) takes on Ronald Ellis (14-0-1, 10 KOs) at the WinnaVegas Casino and Resort in Sloan, Iowa.
Younan, 22, comes from Brooklyn, NY, and has an extensive amateur pedigree. A nine-time junior Olympic champion, an eight-time New York State Silver gloves champ, Younan grew up around boxing, going to the gym with his father even before he could walk.
Photo Credit: ShoBox
Now facing what should be his toughest test, Younan exudes confidence and determination. “It doesn’t really matter what [Ellis] brings to the table that night,” Younan told Showtime, “anything he does, I’m going to have an answer for it. I’ve dug deep for this fight, I’ve pushed myself mentally to places I’ve never been. I’m peaking at the right time.”
Ronald “Akeem” Ellis, 28, is from Lynn, MA, but now resides in Los Angeles. He is making his first attempt at a ten-rounder. Ellis possesses significant power, as seven of his professional bouts have ended by TKO in the first two rounds, but he will need to box well if he wants to compete with the technically proficient Younan. Ellis battled a hand injury last year, and Friday marks a return to the ring after almost thirteen months of inactivity.
Younan is certainly not overlooking his opponent. “I know that Ellis will come in good shape, that he will come prepared. We are preparing for a ten-round dog fight,” said the Brooklyn fighter. “Do I think it will go that long? No, but we are prepared.”
In the co-feature, Montana Love (8-0, 4 KOs) from Cleveland, Ohio, is set to take on Philadelphia’s Samuel Teah (12-1-1, 6 KOs) in an eight-round super lightweight bout. Also featured in the telecast are Wellington Romero (12-0-1, 6 KOs), a former Dominican Republic Olympian, and Thomas Mattice (10-0, 8 KOs), another Cleveland native, in separate bouts. Mattice will look to continue his undefeated streak as he takes on Puerto Rican born prospect Rolando Chinea (15-1, 6 KOs) in an eight-round super lightweight contest.
ShoBox: The Next Generation continues to offer boxing fans the chance to see talented prospects at the beginning of their careers. Friday night’s edition features four fighters with undefeated records, offering a fascinating card from top to bottom. The action begins Friday night, live at 10:00 EST on Showtime.