Golden Boy Promotions has signed WBA Fedecentro welterweight titlist Rashidi “Speedy” Ellis, as well as promising amateur Niko Valdes, announced Chairman and CEO Oscar De la Hoya.

The promotional company “is kicking off the New Year by adding new, top talent to our stable with Rashidi Ellis and Niko Valdes,” said De La Hoya. “We are committed to developing top talent to become boxing’s future champions, and will look to do just that with the addition of Ellis and Valdes to the Golden Boy family.”

A three-year pro, 22-year-old Ellis of Lynn, Massachusetts, is undefeated (14-0, 11 KOs). He most recently fought in March 2015, stopping Victor Gonzalez by fourth-round TKO, thus scoring both the vacant WBA Fedecentro and interim WBC Latino welterweight titles. Speedy—whose older brother, Ronald, is an undefeated super middleweight—sparred with Canelo Alvarez in preparation for the Mexican’s title fight with Miguel Cotto this past November 21, Alvarez scoring the vacant WBC World middleweight title by unanimous decision.

“I am glad to be part of the Golden Boy Promotions team,” said Ellis. “Being part of such a great organization that prides itself on putting on the best fights in the industry really gives me confidence that they will take my career to the next level. My dream is to become a world champion and with Golden Boy at my side I know that opportunity is now a possibility.”

This article was penned by the author who is not related to the WBA and the statements, expressions or opinions referenced herein are that of the author alone and not the WBA.