Jaron Ennis and Eimantas Stanionis come face face ahead of their welterweight unification fight in Atlantic City, New Jersey. (Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing/Getty Images)
(Mark Robinson via Getty Images)
Jaron “Boots” Ennis will ring-walk for the 34th time as a professional boxer Saturday night with two key objectives in mind. Ennis (33-0, 29 KOs), the IBF welterweight champion, faces Eimantas Stanionis (15-0, 9 KOs), the WBA welterweight champion, inside Atlantic City’s historic Boardwalk Hall, looking to unify world titles at 147 pounds, while also simultaneously shaking off his unwanted tag of a “prospect.”
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Yes, that sounds ridiculous.
For a fighter who has amassed 33 victories and picked up a world title, being viewed as an up-and-coming star feels reductive and offensive — but in this instance, it’s more of an indication of the lofty ceiling Boots is believed to have in the sport.
Under the tutelage of his charismatic father and head trainer, Derek “Bozy” Ennis, Boots flew through a who’s who of American welterweights after turning pro in 2016. He was young, fresh, exciting and hit hard. Dubbed as the frontrunner in a new generation of American talent, the Philly fighter ticked all the boxes, passed all the eye tests and edged closer to world honors.
Yet since picking up the interim IBF welterweight title in 2023, his stock has plateaued.
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Two stoppage wins over Roiman Villa (27-3, 25 KOs) and David Avanesyan (31-5-1, 19 KOs), sandwiched by decision victories over Karen Chukhadzhian (24-3, 13 KOs), all received mixed results in the aftermath. The biggest critiques were aimed at the 27-year-old’s lackluster defense, coupled with his inability to shift through the gears and stop an opponent like Chukhadzhian — one who is deemed a couple of rungs below the now-champion.
It’s something that Bozy Ennis has noticed, and he was candid enough to offer an explanation in Matchroom Boxing’s behind-the-scenes documentary leading up to Saturday’s fight.
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“We haven’t seen that high level yet from Boots,” the champ’s father admitted. “I think he has got into the habit of knocking everyone out. I want to get away from that. Maybe he has forgotten what got him there in the first place — his jab, boxing and moving.”
It’s quite the admission from Bozy to suggest his son has fallen in love with his own power — a trope that has been used for esteemed fighters such as “Prince” Naseem Hamed, who, once beginning to knock foes out, neglected fundamental skills.
But Ennis’ father also sees Saturday night as an opportunity for his youngest son to break the constraints of his perceived limitations.
Jaron Ennis (left) continues to make a name for himself as IBF welterweight champion. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
(Jayne Kamin-Oncea via Getty Images)
“Stanionis, I think he is one of the very best in the division,” the elder Ennis added. “It’s a good fight and it’s a tough fight.”
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As Boots continues his hunt for a big name on his record, it’s important to understand his aspirations in the division depend on the current crop of 147-pounders. In boxing, you need dance partners to become great, and his options have been limited.
Floyd Mayweather Jr., Terence Crawford, Sugar Ray Leonard, Roberto Duran and Sugar Ray Robinson can all lay claim to the 147-pound throne in the boxing annals, having won titles in competitive eras, and an Boots has an opportunity Saturday to begin the process of debunking the thought of Boots as just an undermatched prospect.
In Stanionis, Boots has an opponent that will come to fight. The 30-year-old is aggressive and comes forward in his attacks, utilizing a blend of power and speed with intelligent footwork.
The WBA belt-holder, in theory, could play into the hands of the boxer-puncher Boots, who should be able to use the momentum of Stanionis to connect with flurries and move out of range. But if Boots isn’t on point, then there is enough danger in Stanionis’ ability that it could derail Ennis’ career.
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There have been some unforgettable nights involving Hall of Fame fighters inside the storied walls of the Boardwalk Hall. Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, Leonard, George Forman, Arturo Gatti, Lennox Lewis, Pernell Whitaker, Bernard Hopkins, Mayweather Jr., Roy Jones Jr. — the list goes on. But this weekend could well see the start of the next chapter in the story of Ennis.
Before an expected jump up in weight to 154 pounds, Boots has a long-awaited opportunity to make a statement on Saturday. It’s sink or swim — if he is successful, he’ll be walking out of Atlantic City with a fresh world title draped over his shoulder and owning the No. 1 spot in the division.
“The future of boxing,” his promotor, Eddie Hearn, labeled Ennis following his July win over Avanesyan.
But if Boots is going to shine, the future has to be now.
