Ricky De Los Santos
&
‘King’ Kevin Walsh
Prepare For War!
(February 11th) This Saturday, February 15th, Ricky de los Santos (12-1, 3 KOs) defends his WBC US Silver Featherweight Title against unbeaten New England Super Featherweight & Lightweight Champion “King” Kevin Walsh (15-0, 8 KOs).
The pair collide on CES Boxing’s massive ‘Love & War’ card taking place at Mohegan Sun Arena and broadcast live globally on DAZN. Tickets to CES Boxing’s ‘Love and War’ are available at CESfights.com, TicketMaster, or the Mohegan Sun Box Office. Priced beginning at $77, the card makes the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for that special someone who enjoys the sweet science at a venue featuring many of the best restaurants, bars and amenities in the world, all under one roof. Doors open at 4pm, with the first amateur bout scheduled for 5pm.
At first glance, the fighters have much in common: they have emerged as the top 2 featherweights in the northeast US, each coming off the biggest win of their respective careers last year at Mohegan Sun Arena.
De los Santos won the WBC title against Nathan Martinez via unanimous decision in February, while Walsh dispatched of Irvin Gonzalez in 4 rounds to pick up the New England Super Featherweight title in November. They also proudly represent the fighting New England cities of Brockton, MA (Walsh) and Pawtucket, RI (de los Santos).
The pugilists recently sat down with The Final Bell podcast to discuss a showdown that many believe will steal the show on Saturday night. They showed mutual respect and acknowledged the other’s strengths, but with emotions running high, they also traded a few barbs.
“He’s a tough fighter,” said Walsh when assessing de los Santos. “He’s fast, he’s got skills and good footwork. I’m looking forward to the challenge. These are the moments I live for.”
Walsh had a late start in boxing. The 32-year-old turned pro in 2021 and reeled off 15 victories in only 4 years. 2024 was his best year to date, as the Brockton native fought 5 times and won 2 titles. With each outing, Walsh steadily increased his level of opposition and showed marked improvement, something that’s not lost on de los Santos.
“I know Kevin's coming to fight,” said the Pawtucket resident. “I know he's a tough kid, I know he works hard. We all know that because we see he's on social media showing it. He’s got a great team behind him. Respect to CES and the Cappiello's for moving him the way they did. Anybody can tell you that they moved him right and now we're here. At this point in my career, I'm game. I wanted a fight like this.”
In de los Santos, Walsh will be facing a slick boxer who feels that he is at the top of his game. The half Puerto Rican, half Dominican fighter turned pro in 2017 and won his first 10 bouts before being upset by Yeison Vargas in 2022. De los Santos regrouped since the loss, knocking out Jeno Tonte in 2 rounds in October 2023 and following that up with his title winning effort over Martinez 4 months later.
Unfortunately for the 35-year-old, he hurt his hand in that fight and has not been able to capitalize on his biggest win until now.
“I hurt my hand in the third or fourth round,” explains de los Santos of his inactivity. “I was able to fight through it and get the victory, but when I took tests after the fight, I was told to take off at least 6 months. I tried to get on the last CES card, but it didn’t work out, so they made this fight happen.”
The fight between the New England rivals has significant ramifications. De los Santos is ranked 15 with the NABF, while Walsh is ranked 18. This fight represents the biggest test of each man’s career, with everything to gain from an impressive win on DAZN and much to lose if they stumble.
“In this part of my career, I can't afford any more losses,” confesses de los Santos. “I took one - it ain't happening again. We learned from that, so I'm coming prepared, I'm working.”
When considering what the key difference is between them, de los Santos feels that he knows what to expect from Walsh after a sparring session that took place a while back.
“In the most humblest way, I just think I'm levels above him,” says de los Santos flatly. “We've shared the ring before with me playing at 50%, 60% just to get the work in. I think that my all-around game is better. It's not so much my game plan as it's him having to adjust to what I got going on. If need be, I could do anything. I've been in there with everybody, so there's nothing that he does that haven’t seen.”
While Walsh admits that de los Santos may have gotten the best of the 4 round sparring session, he believes that it is irrelevant to what will happen on Saturday night.
“It was 1 or 2 years ago,” says Walsh of the sparring sessions. “We've been in the ring together and he might have got the best of me that day, but that's just sparring. This is a lot different. These are 8 oz gloves, and I’ve got some lethal hands, so I feel like my power is gonna be the difference in this fight. My speed's gonna be the difference, my overall conditioning. I'm ready for war.”
In fact, when visualizing the outcome of this fight, Walsh sees it ending in emphatic fashion.
“The KO’s coming, 100%,” says Walsh. “Respect to Ricky de los Santos and his team for accepting the fight because he knows I'm ready for war. I know Ricky's tough, but I'm another animal. I'm another beast and I'm looking forward to proving that because I know a lot of people are sleeping on me and probably thinking that Ricky's got this, but I'm really looking forward to proving all the haters and the doubters wrong. I’ve got these lethal weapons right here with me, so I’m coming.”
And with that, the war of words was ignited.
“He's in for a beating,” countered de los Santos. “I'm gonna do him filthy. I'm gonna do him dirty, I promise you. Whatever he wants to do, I'll dog walk this dude. He knows that. I'm telling you right now. I promise you he's no king in that ring. That night, you'll be the queen in that ring. In your world, you could be a king. It's cool, but in that ring, nah.”
There’s only one way to find out who the king of the featherweights is, and that’s in the ring on February 15.
Be sure to catch ‘Love and War’ live from Mohegan Sun Arena or on DAZN. With 3 title fights and several of the best contenders and prospects in competitive fights, it’s an event you won’t want to miss.
There will be a new face on the scene at Mohegan Sun Arena on February 15, when Carlos "El Gallo" Gonzalez (14-0, 13 KOs) defends his NABA Featherweight Championship against upset specialist Alex Espinoza (23-6-2, 8 KOs) in a 10-round contest.
The bout co-headlines CES Boxing’s "Love and War", a stacked pro-am show that will be televised live worldwide on DAZN.
Few people realize how many lives boxing saves. In Carlos Gonzalez’s case, boxing entered his life only 2 and a half years ago when he was going through a difficult time.
"A series of things happened in my life that I’m dealing with to this day," admits the Springfield native of Puerto Rican descent. "I’m fighting a case and I don’t know whether or not I’ll end up going away, but I hope I don’t by the grace of God."
The incident marked a turning point in Carlos’ life, and when he didn’t know where to turn, boxing became his refuge.
"When I caught the case in 2022, I just didn't know where to go to," confesses Gonzalez. "I was always athletic, and my sister's husband, who I consider my older brother, was always drilling into my head that I should start boxing. I'm good at a lot of sports, so in April 2022, I walked into a gym, laced up gloves for the first time and I haven't looked back since. I've been training 3 times a day, every day."
The sweet science provided the then 25-year-old with not just a distraction from his troubles, but the realization that boxing was something he was naturally good at. However, talent alone was not going to make up for the fact that ‘El Gallo’ was a novice in a sport that many take up when they’re very young.
"I never fought amateur, so my coach has me sparring a lot of people who are at a world class level," says Gonzalez, who trains out of Springfield alongside junior middleweight prospect Anthony ‘ATV’ Velasquez. "I spar with them every day to make up for my lack of amateur experience."
What Carlos found out early on is that he has a lot of natural power, winning his first 7 fights by knockout.
"I always felt that I had power, but I didn't know for sure until I started boxing," says El Gallo, who also quickly realized that to become a world champion, power alone was not going to be enough. "When I started boxing, people just said ‘Oh, he’s strong, but he only has power,’ so I take pride in developing my boxing skills. I don’t just have power. I have good defense and I have tremendous footwork from playing basketball and baseball my whole life."
Adding boxing skills to his devastating power, Gonzalez amassed a record of 14-0 with 13 knockouts and set himself up for a NABA title shot, which came last September against fellow Massachusetts prospect Duke Micah. All of Gonzalez’s work came together in that fight, as the Puerto Rican dominated Micah for 7 rounds before stopping the Worcester resident in round 8. A stay busy first round knockout in December brings us to the present, where Gonzalez is preparing to defend his title against tough Nicaraguan Alex Espinoza.
"Training is going amazing," said Gonzalez last week at the ‘Love and War’ press conference at Mohegan Sun’s Wolf Den. "I train as if I'm about to fight God, so it doesn't really matter who's across the ring from me. I’m laser focused and grateful to be here."
In Espinoza, Gonzalez will be facing a seasoned veteran who has shared the ring with the likes of former world champion Andrew Moloney and highly regarded prospect Peter McGrail. The Nicaraguan is currently on a 2-fight winning streak, besting previously undefeated Mexican prospect Gustavo Rio last May.
"I watched his victory over Gustavo Rio, which was an upset," notes Gonzalez when asked to assess his opponent. "I know that he’s real game. He can fight. He’s a tough guy and I’m looking to test my skills against him. I guarantee you I'm going to bring it to him, and he's Nicaraguan, so I know he's going to bring it to me. May the best man win."
If all goes according to plan on February 15, Gonzalez hopes to keep marching forward, setting an example for young people who, like him, have faced tough times and can be inspired by seeing someone turn his life around.
"I’m just trying to change my life and give young kids and even people my age hope," says Gonzalez. "I’m letting them know that it's never too late for you to do something you want to do. Put your right foot forward and take the first step. That's it. All you got to worry about is putting one foot in front of the other and keep moving forward."
Before you know it, you could be defending a championship title in front of thousands of fans at Mohegan Sun Arena like ‘El Gallo’.
Top welterweight contender "Speedy" Rashidi Ellis (25-1, 16 KOs) headlines his second CES Boxing card in as many fights on Saturday, February 15, when he takes on Jose Angulo (16-9, 9 KOs) for the vacant WBC US Silver Welterweight Championship.
The fight is one of 3 stellar title bouts taking place at Mohegan Sun Arena that will be televised live worldwide on DAZN.
"I’m really excited to perform at Mohegan Sun Arena," said the 31-year-old Ellis from his training camp in Salem, New Hampshire. "The first professional fight I ever saw live was at Mohegan Sun, so I always wanted to fight there."
In Rashidi’s way will be Jose Angulo, a former Ecuadorian champion who has shared the ring with the likes of ex-world champion Alberto Machado, welterweight contender Cletus Seldin, and super lightweight prospect Ernesto "Tito" Mercado.
Angulo has been an active fighter who has given every opponent he faced a tough outing. The 28-year-old won the Ecuadorian title in 2023 and followed that up with a razor close majority decision loss to Seldin at Madison Square Garden last March. A win over Ellis for the WBC title would be his biggest career achievement to date.
"He's a decent fighter," agrees Ellis when assessing Angulo. "I’ve seen a couple of his fights. He's someone that you can't sleep on because if you overlook him, he could catch you or beat you, but he ain't doing that over here. We’re working hard to make a statement."
The statement Ellis wants to make is that he is the best welterweight in the world, and he’s willing to prove it against any of the current champions.
"Any one of them," emphasizes Rashidi when asked which of the champions he’d prefer to challenge. "I definitely want to beat up [WBO Champion] Brian Norman Jr. We’ve been going back and forth, and we have to settle it this year. I also want [WBC Champion] Mario Barrios. I wanted to fight him a while ago when we were both with the PBC. He’s a warrior, so it would be a great show, but I would come out victorious."
One fighter who isn't available is Jaron "Boots" Ennis, who will attempt to unify his IBF title against WBA champion Eimantas Stanionis in April.
"That’s a good fight," concedes the Lynn, MA native. "Stanionis is very strong, and Boots doesn’t have the best defense in the world. Stanionis could catch him, but he also opens up a lot, so I think Boots is going to catch him with something eventually. I’d be more than ready to take on the winner."
While there is no shortage of viable opponents for Ellis, the question is, what will it take to lure one of the champions into the ring with him?
"This is my second fight in a row on DAZN and it’s for a WBC title, so I should be on everyone’s radar and moving my way up the rankings," reasons Ellis. "If I can’t get one of the champions next, I’m happy to welcome some of the guys moving up from 140 to the welterweight division, like Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia."
If those do not materialize, there is always the opportunity to avenge the only loss of his career, a majority decision loss to Roiman Villa in 2023.
"I definitely want that rematch to show the world that he didn’t beat the real me," says Ellis. "I was fighting with one hand that night. This time I’ll knock him out with that hand."
Before the talented fighter can look ahead to those lucrative fights, he needs to make sure that he shows out on "Love and War" on February 15.
"I’ve been training really hard at the LFG gym in Salem, New Hampshire with [middleweight prospect] Mike Fontanez," assures Ellis. "Training is good. We’re working really hard and ready to take over the show. Make sure you guys come through to Connecticut. We’ve got 3 title fights and a lot of great fighters on the card. This is going to be an action-packed night."
The action takes place at the majestic Mohegan Sun Arena and includes the return of "Jimmy Burchfield's Classic Invitational XII" an amateur showcase featuring the region's best amateur talent in one spectacular night.
The main event features welterweight sensation "Speedy" Rashidi Ellis (25-1, 16 KOs) as he takes on tough-as-nails Ecuadorian Jose Angulo (16-9, 9 KOs) in a 10-round bout for the vacant WBC US Silver Welterweight Championship.
Rashidi made an impressive return to the squared circle in 2024, leading the Boston Butchers to the Team Combat League’s semi-finals while notching 11 wins in the process. After the successful season, the Lynn, Massachusetts native made quick work of Argentine veteran Brian Chaves last October in his first ever main event in his home state.
In Angulo, Ellis faces a former Ecuadorian champion who has given ex-world champion Alberto Machado, popular contender Cletus Seldin and top prospect Ernesto "Tito" Mercado fits in competitive fights.
The card also features two scintillating featherweight title bouts, as Springfield, MA puncher Carlos Gonzalez (14-0, 13 KOs) defends his NABA Featherweight Title against Nicaraguan Alex Espinoza (23-6-2, 8 KOs) while Providence, RI’s Ricky Delossantos (12-1, 3 KOs) defends his WBC US Silver Featherweight Championship against Brockton, MA’s "King" Kevin Walsh (15-0, 8 KOs) in a New England grudge match.
A top contender will also be in action, as WBO #5 ranked Chordale "The Gift" Booker (23-1, 11 KOs) takes on former two-time WBO African Super Welterweight Champion Patrick Allotey (44-7, 34 KOs).
Now in his second bout as a middleweight, Stamford’s Booker is looking to close in on a world title shot. The 33-year-old first must turn back Allotey, a devastating puncher from Ghana who has faced the likes of former world champions Jaime Munguia and Patrick Teixeira.
Several of the top prospects in New England and beyond will be in competitive fights, as Lawrence, MA’s Steven Sumpter (9-1-1, 7 KOs) takes on Burley Brooks (7-2, 5 KOs) in a light heavyweight slugfest, while Nashua, NH’s Mike Fontanez (10-0, 6 KOs) battles the son of a legend Ray Oliveira, Jr. (10-3, 2 KOs) in a jr. middleweight contest.
Blue-chip New England prospects Ali Feliz (4-0, 3 KOs), WBA #5 ranked Amelia Moore (1-0), and Joseph "J-Elite" Chisholm (3-0, 3 KOs) will also be in action as they progress towards contender status.
Rounding out the card is New Haven, CT’s Carlos Ojeda (2-0) and the pro debuts of Bridgeport, CT’s Anthony Nieves and Providence, RI’s Kevin Mojica.
As if that weren’t enough, fans will also be treated to many of the very best amateur boxers in the country that will take place at 5pm EST prior to the professional card and is included in the ticket price.
ABOUT CES BOXING
CES Boxing is one of the top promotions on the East Coast. Founded in 1992 by Jimmy Burchfield Sr., CES Boxing has promoted many world class fighters, including Jamaine Ortiz, Juiseppe Cusumano, Hank Lundy, Vinny Paz, Peter Manfredo, Mariusz Wach, Jason Estrada, Matt Godfrey, Chad Dawson and Ray Oliveira. CES Boxing has promoted such super fights as "The Thriller on Triller: Tyson v Jones Jr.", "Mayweather vs. Gotti III" and "The Contender: Manfredo v Pemberton".
ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN ARENA
Mohegan Sun Arena finished 2021 with its first "#1 Indoor Arena" ranking for its capacity in the world according to Pollstar and VenuesNow, ranked among the top 10 venues in the U.S. regardless of size based on ticket sales, and was named "2021 Innovator of the Year" by Celebrity Access for its ViacomCBS residency. In recent years, the "Most Beloved Venue in America" has also been the "#1 Casino Venue in the World," "#1 Social Media Venue in the World" and a seven – time national award – winner for "Arena of the Year."
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