THE welterweight division will have only three world champions by the end of April 12.
IBF champion Jaron Ennis and WBA champion Eimantas Stanionis will battle it out on a Matchroom card at the famous Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City with the winner becoming unified champion at 147lbs.
It represents a positive turn in the career of Ennis, 33-0 (29 KOs), who last time out fought Karen Chukhadzhian for the second time in 22 months. Ennis once again won on points taking care of his mandatory obligation which then allowed him to proceed with a much bigger challenge.
The Philadelphian had been linked with a move to super welterweight against Vergil Ortiz Jr but instead Ennis chose to remain at welterweight where he hopes to clean up the remaining three titles.
“This is the fight I’ve been waiting for,” said Ennis. “I believe I was made for moments like this and on April 12 I will be making a big statement and you will see the very best of me. It’s time to shine, be great and collect those belts.”
Stanionis, 15-0 (9 KOs), has been calling for unification bouts and now gets his wish on April 12. The Lithuanian has gone about his business quietly and effectively but, like Ennis, has lacked a big fight to date. The 30-year-old earned the ‘Regular’ belt with a hard-fought win over Radzhab Butaev in 2022 but didn’t defend it until May 2024. He was elevated to full champion status, however, in August last year when former undisputed champion Terence Crawford vacated the WBA title.
“This is it—the moment I’ve been envisioning my entire life,” Stanionis said.
“Every sacrifice, every ounce of sweat, it’s all been for this fight. Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis is a great fighter, but I’m ready to take him down. On April 12 in Atlantic City, I’ll show the world what I’m made of. This unification bout is my chance to prove I’m the king of the Welterweight division, and there’s no way I’m letting this opportunity slip away. This moment is mine!”
Promoter Eddie Hearn made a statement of intent by signing Ennis in 2024 vowing to deliver big fights for his American star and is thrilled to have the unification bout locked in.
“This is a simply brilliant fight,” he said. “When we signed Boots, I said to him that we would deliver unifications for him, so it is great to get this over the line for Jaron, and I know that with the biggest fight of his career right in front of him, he is going to shine brighter than ever.
“Eimantas is a brilliant fighter, and this is without doubt the #1 and #2 in the division.”
