At the undercard of Davis vs Garcia, undefeated Rashidi Ellis will face Roiman Villa. The odds are deeply one sided in favor of Ellis, but Roiman is the most decorated knockout artist he’s faced. Neither man’s career has major wins over dominant welterweights, but Ellis is the clear favorite after beating higher quality fighters overall. We see a possible upset, paying out +200 to +500 at the top boxing betting sites.
OUR PICK
UNDER 10.5 ROUNDS
Villa’s loss to Marcos Villasana (23-6) put his ability to be champion on notice. Since then, he’s beaten multiple opponents, and is coming off the biggest win of his career over #48 ranked Janelson Bocachica. Ellis is #12, a far superior counter puncher, but his bout with Rocha showed that his defense isn’t going to stop all of Villa’s incoming haymaker-right crosses.
Can Roiman Villa Knock Ellis Out?
Fight fans looking for the big win will be interested in the Roiman Villa by TKO prop bet at +550, just +125 over his money line. Villa has a staggering 92.31% KO ratio, but he’s fought his fair share of scrubs; the majority of his opponents have losing records. Still, Ellis doesn’t have incredible head movement. He will eat some right hands, and his chin will be tested. Of January seventh’s big matches, Villa has the best chance of an upset.
Villa +425 vs Ellis -700
After losing to Villasana in 2019, Roman has been on a six fight winning streak and is fresh off his first decision win, a 79-71 showing on two scorecards against an undefeated fighter. Ellis is a major favorite not for his style but his quality of opponent. In his most recent stoppage of Marruffo we see some heavy shots, but Ellis isn’t unscathed by the exchange.
In his last outing @rashidiellis showed us why he has the nickname “Speedy.” Ellis scored two knockdowns and a RD1 stoppage in under 140 secs against Jose Marruffo. #EllisMarruffo
Ellis returns against Romain Villa on 1/7 in Washington DC on @showtimeboxing. #EllisVilla pic.twitter.com/VzwgZjz1ZC
— Premier Boxing Champions (@premierboxing) December 29, 2022
Ellis isn’t a money line I would parlay. His rush to a finish felt tiresome, and if he thinks he has Villa early he could be giving up the late rounds. Both men have heavy hands and limited head movement. Villa has the reach and height advantage, and he has a touch of crazy. There is something in the eyes of a puncher like Villa, and his willingness to whip a haymaker if you’re rocked makes him an unpredictable opponent.
Rashidi Ellis’s next opponent. Don’t sleep on Roiman Villa(25-1 24 KO’s). An aggressive power puncher that has a decent jab from time to time. #Boxing #EllisVilla #DavisGarcia #Jan7 🔥🔥🔥🥊🥊🥊🥊🥊 pic.twitter.com/H0uIVmqfZu
— Danny (@dantheboxingman) December 20, 2022
Someone Will Be Upset at Davis vs Garcia
We’re looking at at least one upset at Gervonta Davis’ card this weekend, and our money is on Villa. The under offers a bit of protection, but we’ve put two heavy punchers with minimal backward movement and no jab game to speak of as a co-main. This fight has early night written all over it, and our top pick gives you a triple your money return.
