RONALD ELLIS & JUNIOR YOUNAN FIGHT TO A SPLIT DRAW IN THE MAIN EVENT OF SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION FRIDAY ON SHOWTIME® FROM WINNAVEGAS CASINO RESORT IN SLOAN, IOWA
SLOAN, IOWA (Feb. 3, 2018) – Undefeated super middleweight prospects Ronald Ellis and Junior Younan fought to a split draw in the main event of ShoBox: The New Generation Friday on SHOWTIME from WinnaVegas Casino Resort in Sloan, Iowa.
While Ellis was the ShoBox veteran with the stronger resume, Younan entered the fight as a highly touted prospect who had never been tested. He faced his first test on Friday in what was the first scheduled 10-round bout for both fighters.
The fight was fought in flurries, with Younan scoring from the outside and Ellis the aggressor. Except for the eighth round where Brooklyn’s Younan displayed his best work, Ellis seemed to push the action and win the second half of the fight. Ellis had a slight edge in power punch percentage and total punches, but Younan was slightly more accurate. The fighters were even with 96 total connects entering the 10th round, but Ellis (14-0-2, 10 KOs) won the 10th on all three judges’ scorecards by out-landing Younan 21-9.
The 10-round fight was scored 96-94 Ellis, 96-94 Younan, and 95-95.
“I thought I pulled it out. I closed the show at the end,” said Ellis, of Lynn, Mass. “I was pressuring him and the fans know I won. In the eighth, he landed a couple of shots but he wasted his energy. As you saw, he didn’t do anything the rest of that round, and after that round, he had nothing left.”
Photo Credits To Amanda Westcott/SHOWTIME
“He was running from the start, so I knew I could land shots on him anytime. My only regret is I wish that I got him out of there. It’s all knockouts from here on out. I would definitely fight him again, but I’ll do whatever my promoter lines up for me.”
After the fight, an emotional Younan (13-0-1, 9 KOs) pleaded his case for a rematch.
“I thought I won the fight, I thought [Ellis] won maybe three rounds,” Younan said. “My best round was the eighth round – I had him in the corner and I really thought they were going to end the fight then. I was surprised they didn’t stop the fight.
Photo Credits To Amanda Westcott/SHOWTIME
“I can improve a little bit, I feel I can finish stronger. I’ve only had one eight-round fight before this so this was a big step up for me. I’m growing and learning every fight.
“I’m heartbroken right now. I wanted to win that fight. I want him in a rematch. I know I would win. I know what to do and what not to do.”
Younan’s promoter, ROC NATION recognized the tremendous heart and effort put forth by their fighter and released the following statement:
“Last night, Roc Nation super middleweight boxer Junior Younan fought Ronald Ellis as the main event headliner for ShoBox: The New Generation ending in a split decision draw.
With the split draw at WinnaVegas Resort and Casino in Sloan, Iowa, Younan (13-0-1, 9 KOs) fought his heart out in his first-career, televised main event fight. Younan leaves the big stage with a valuable learning experience and the motivation to drive his next contest.
Roc Nation Boxing is proud of Younan’s USBA Super Middleweight Title efforts and supports him moving forward.”
