Undefeated IBF welterweight champion Jaron “Boots” Ennis has finally secured the unification bout he has so desperately been after since winning the title in the summer of 2023.
Ennis (33-0, 29 KOs) will face WBA welterweight champion Eimantas Stanionis (15-0, 9 KOs) on April 12 at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ. That was no typo, as this fight has indeed landed in Atlantic City, which has not seen a significant unification title fight since Sergey Kovalev’s dominant victory over Bernard Hopkins in 2014. It’s been a while, so the level of excitement has to be high, especially for the fans of Ennis, who won’t have to travel far from Philadelphia to see their guy fight.
Since defeating Karen Chukhadzhian for the second time in November, there was talk of Ennis moving up to 154 to face Vergil Ortiz Jr. Another was a potential fight with WBO super lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez, but neither fight could get over the line. Ennis publicly told his promoter, Eddie Hearn, that he wanted a unification fight next, and the names being rumored did not interest him at the moment. Hearn did just that and delivered Stanionis. Here is what Ennis had to say about finally getting the fight he wanted via a press release by Matchroom Boxing.
“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.”
HUGE FIGHT ‼️ The two best Welterweights in the World battle it out in a brilliant unification match up for the IBF, WBA and Ring belts April 12 Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City live on @DAZNBoxing #BootsStanionis 🔥 @JaronEnnis pic.twitter.com/eBgnj6QW56
— Eddie Hearn (@EddieHearn) January 23, 2025
Stanionis stayed active last year after not fighting in nearly three years. This fight means just as much for the 30-year-old Lithuanian. He’s been at a bit of a standstill trying to make unification fights with either Mario Barrios or Brian Norman Jr. None of which were able to get signed. Stanionis feels like his moment has finally arrived with this fight.
“This is it—the moment I’ve been envisioning my entire life!” said Stanionis via press release. “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!”
With the fight finally being announced, the debate can begin on who will emerge victorious. Will Ennis show why he’s been avoided all these years, or will he make geniuses of the naysayers who felt he might have been carried to this point? Stanionis is no pushover and will be Ennis’ hardest test to date. All questions will be answered on April 12 in Atlantic City.
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