(Photo credit: Peter Politanoff) Exclusive Interview by Marc Livitz: Regardless of how fresh faced and clear eyed some fighters are these days, there are still many who would easily give up a scar or two in order to break into the true boxing spirit and enhance the feeling of belonging. The true grit of giving and taking will compliment a plethora of pugilists who yearn to to put the full into full contact. Meanwhile, there are but a few who do so and remain a class gentleman among gents. Such is the case with up and coming super middleweight prospect, Ronald Akeem Ellis (8-0, 6 KO’s).
“I started boxing when I was about 13”, said the undefeated fighter who now calls Los Angeles his home of sorts. “Before I found boxing, I played football like a lot of kids and I also did some karate, but I didn’t like it. I wanted more combat and at the time, my uncle was a boxer in Chicago.”
Ronald etched his respective notch on the sweet science as a teenager near Boston. He quickly found a comfortable spot surrounded at times by what he may have felt as a bit too complimentary, especially in one of the few sports where not everyone gets a trophy. When asked about his humble beginnings, Ellis said, “There was a gym behind a milk factory in Linwood, Massachusetts and it just felt like home right away. I started working out a lot there before I actually got into the ring. They told every kid, “you’ve got it and you’re a natural.”
He added, “I did good in sparring. I lost my first amateur fight because the kid was bleeding but I got a rematch and I stopped him the first round.” The amateur ranks treated Ronald as well as can be expected and his time as a boxing hopeful certainly culminated with his 2010 Golden Gloves victory over eventual 2012 Olympian, Terrell Gausha. “I would always win in my home state but I didn’t go outside the state because my Dad wasn’t ready to send me away”, commented the now 24 year old who was at the time still fighting out of the New England area. “Not until I did the Golden Gloves in 2010.”
Ronald Akeem Ellis turned professional in early 2011 and scored two quick knockout wins just inside of four months out of the gates. Unfortunately for the young fighter, an error of judgement cost him almost a full year of ring inactivity. When he was asked to elaborate, Ronald was more than willing to admit a temporary lapse of reason as he stated, “I had a little falling out with my manager, Cameron Dunkin my promoters, Top Rank. I failed a random drug test after I tested positive for marijuana. I learned from it and I just had to put it all behind me.”
Four fights came in 2012 and Ellis racked up just as many wins, including three first round knockouts. At the most inopportune time, an occupational hazard surfaced just as he was gaining steam once again, only this time he had one of boxing’s top trainers as a casualty of misfortune. Luckily, a particular Southern California promotional company was willing to extend another lifeline to the positive and amiable fighter. “I was in Oxnard (California) with Robert Garcia and I chipped a bone in my elbow. I needed surgery”, said “Akeem”. “I was out for fifteen months, but Sheer Management gave me a chance and I’ve had two bouts since April.”
He’s currently managed by Sheer Sports and trains out of the Iron Gym in Santa Monica, California by coach Courage Tshabalala, who himself was a former heavyweight prospect.
Power in the ring is often exposed over time without the necessary precision to accompany it. Of the six knockouts Ronald can boast on pugilistic resume, all but one of them took place in the opening round. Why go for points when you can get the night off early? Ellis was painfully yet comfortably honest when he asserted, “I was always huge fan of boxing and I always wanted to knock people out. I used to like Tommy Hearns and there was a time when I was a tall and lanky 141 pounds. I also loved Marvin Hagler because he could switch from left to right.”
Sporting fans in general have within themselves those who love the biggest of fight nights, but who among the most impassioned supporters doesn’t love an old fashioned, Prohibition era styled nights under the hot lights? The type where the venue feels much more like an old warehouse than a modern day basketball arena? Ronald has already had many such evenings and this Thursday night will be no exception as he travels down to Tijuana, B.C., Mexico to face local toughman, Guillermo Garcia (6-10-2, 1 KO). It’s his second visit in as many months to “T.J.” and his last sojourn there was topped by a first round TKO win over Jose Luis Esparza. Ronald’s thoughts on his upcoming opponent are simple but quite direct.
“I don’t know much about him, but I so know he was at 147 (pounds) and now he’s coming up to 168”, he said. “He’ll find out that I don’t punch like a feather.”
With all deserved luck, the third time is indeed a charm for Ronald Akeem Ellis. He’s learned from his previous errors and also become quite aware of the always hovering injury risk in professional sports. He now has both eyes on the prize and leaves no confusion of his true goals. “I’m going to be around, so get used to me. I’m a crowd pleaser and I’m the man to see”, he said.
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