Jaron “Boots” Ennis delivered a statement performance on Saturday night, dismantling Eimantas Stanionis with a sixth-round technical knockout to unify the IBF and WBA welterweight titles. The victory, which took place at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, not only solidified Ennis’s place at the top of the division but also positioned him as the new face of welterweight boxing after a period of uncertainty since Terence Crawford’s dominant win over Errol Spence Jr. nearly two years ago.
The 27-year-old Ennis, who entered the fight with an undefeated record of 33-0, showcased his devastating combination of speed, power, and technique. From the opening bell, Ennis took control of the ring, setting traps with his jab and delivering sharp counterpunches that stifled Stanionis’s offensive rhythm. The Philadelphia native switched stances seamlessly, creating angles and landing clean, punishing shots.
By the fourth round, Ennis was attacking the body with increasing aggression, and in the fifth, he landed a total of 19 punches, 16 of them power shots, according to Compubox’s statistics. While Stanionis managed to land a few clean overhand rights in the third round, he could not keep up with the relentless assault. Ennis absorbed the pressure and adjusted to his opponent’s tactics with ease.
The sixth round was the turning point. Ennis began to systematically break down Stanionis, landing a series of thudding body shots before unleashing a flurry of punches that sent the Lithuanian to the canvas. Stanionis, who had never been knocked down in his professional career, managed to beat the count but was visibly battered. His trainer, Marvin Somodio, stepped in to stop the fight before the seventh round, ensuring his fighter would not take any more punishment.
The win marked Ennis’s fourth successful title defense and extended his unbeaten record to 34-0, with 30 knockouts. It was a career-defining victory for a fighter long hailed as the next big thing in the welterweight division. His performance silenced any lingering doubts about his ability to perform on the big stage, especially after a lackluster decision win over Karen Chukhadzhian last year. Ennis’s statement victory also solidified his position as the top welterweight in a division searching for a new star.
Despite the dominant win, Ennis showed no signs of complacency. “When I fight top-of-the-line guys, you see a different me,” Ennis said, emphasizing his hunger to prove himself. His trainer and father, Bozy Ennis, echoed these sentiments, stating that Stanionis was “going to get knocked out” had the fight continued.
With the victory, Ennis now holds two major welterweight titles, leaving him in a strong position to chase undisputed status. Although there are other champions in the division, such as Mario Barrios, who holds the WBC title, and Brian Norman Jr., who holds the WBO belt, none have shown the same dominance or skill that Ennis displayed in his win. The fight against Stanionis not only solidified Ennis’s place as the best in the division but also marked the most important result in the post-Crawford era.
Ennis’s victory also marked a return to form for Atlantic City, a city once known as the epicenter of championship boxing. With 10,000 fans in attendance and Philadelphia 76ers star Tyrese Maxey walking Ennis to the ring, the event felt like a throwback to the glory days of boxing on the East Coast.
Looking ahead, Ennis has not ruled out a move up to 154lbs, but with two major titles in hand, he may focus on unifying the welterweight division before making any decisions. Regardless of his next move, Ennis has proven he is no longer the future of the welterweight division he is its present.
