Eimantas Stanionis knows exactly what he’s up against when he steps into the ring with Jaron “Boots” Ennis on Saturday night. The Lithuanian defends his WBA welterweight title against the highly-touted Ennis, who brings the IBF belt — and a growing reputation — into the unification bout at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.
At just 27, Ennis is already widely regarded as one of the most promising fighters in the world. Many see him as the future of the 147lb division, particularly since Terence Crawford moved up to 154lbs after defeating Errol Spence Jr. for the undisputed title in 2023. Though Ennis hasn’t yet had a defining fight, Saturday’s clash with Stanionis may change that.
Stanionis, 30, is quietly confident ahead of the biggest fight of his career. He respects Ennis’ talent, but doesn’t believe the hype guarantees victory.
“Really good – everything they say, he’s really good,” Stanionis told BoxingScene. “He can switch stances; he can bang; box; everything. Speed; IQ.”
The unbeaten Lithuanian isn’t intimidated. He’s seen weaknesses in Ennis’ game and has tailored his training camp to take advantage.
“I saw some things that I need to work on and I was working on them in training camp,” he said.
While Ennis is expected to be the toughest opponent Stanionis has faced as a professional, the WBA champ points to his extensive amateur experience — including fights against Olympic champions — as preparation for the moment.
One potential concern for Ennis could be making the 147lb limit. His father and trainer, Derek “Bozy” Ennis, has already acknowledged that the young champion’s time at welterweight may be nearing its end. Saturday’s bout marks the first time Ennis has worked with a nutritionist, and his noticeably larger frame compared to Stanionis could be a factor on the scales.
“I think we’re a similar size,” said Stanionis. “He’s a little bit taller but he had bigger shoes. I signed on the paper that I will make weight – I don’t worry about him. Sometimes it’s important; sometimes not.”
Despite the high stakes, both fighters have kept the build-up respectful. There’s no trash talk, just mutual acknowledgment of the challenge ahead and what’s on the line.
“For this fight I think we respect each other and each other’s skills – we’re going to beat each other up,” Stanionis said.
“It’s a big fight for the belts. I don’t know if we need to sell this fight or not. I think it’s already sold out. A lot of people from Lithuania will come to support me, so it’s gonna be a great night.”
Whether Saturday crowns a new king of the division or adds another layer to a competitive weight class remains to be seen. But for Stanionis, it’s more than a title defense — it’s a chance to silence doubters and earn the spotlight in a division that’s ready for its next star.
Photo: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing/Getty Images
