There is a certain buzz in the air as Jaron Ennis and Eimantas Stanionis prepare to do battle in Atlantic City, New Jersey, where several of boxing’s best have entertained and elevated their craft. The unification fight for the WBA, IBF, and Ring Magazine welterweight titles will be added to a weighty chapter in the history books.
When they clash on Saturday night at the Boardwalk Hall, built in 1929, it is more than just a title fight for Ennis and Stanionis. It is a statement for the division and boxing as a whole.
Ennis (33-0, 29 KOs) has had a cult-like following since his pro debut, with his popularity moving to a mainstream audience as his career has advanced. “Boots” has that “it” factor as he went through the long build from top prospect to a problem in the sport.
Ennis was elevated from interim to full-time champion when Terence Crawford, a man he is interested in facing, was stripped of the IBF title. After years of fighting mandatories, he finally gets to prove himself.
WATCH: Jaron Ennis vs. Eimantas Stanionis on DAZN
“This is something more meaningful, from mandatory to unification fights,” Ennis told The Sporting News. “I’ll be competing for two more belts. It’s been a long journey, but we’re here right now. He (Stanionis) throws a lot of punches. I plan on bringing pressure to him.”
Making history as Lithuania’s first boxing world champion, Stanionis (15-0, 9 KOs) has proven to be a force at welterweight. However, the man with nine wins via knockout hasn’t had much media coverage compared to Ennis. That looks set to change this weekend.
“Competition drives me. I know people are saying he’s ‘The Bogeyman’ and that he’s the best,” said Stanionis. “I’m just going to go out there to see if that’s true. I like the competition.
“I like when people say it’s impossible and make it possible. I’m going to give my all in this fight. No games will be played, I’m just here to fight.”
MORE: Eimantas Stanionis promises “to break” Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis: ‘This is going to be a war!’
Over the years, critics of boxing have often argued that the best don’t fight the best and that the momentum of fighters has been put on hold due to politics. There has been truth to that. However, these are changing times, which excites Stanionis.
The Eastern European wants to be a throwback fighter, competing in multiple contests a year, similar to how it was done in the 80s and 90s when everyone fought one another. One can think back to when the ‘Four Kings’ of Sugar Ray Leonard, Roberto Duran, Tommy Hearns and Marvin Hagler were on top of the world. It’s perhaps no surprise that the frenzied activity of this era motivates Stanionis after he spent two years out of action following his title win over Radzhab Butaev.
A win by either would help enhance their legacy, matching the efforts of epic performances at Boardwalk Hall. Sergey Kovalev shutting out Bernard Hopkins, Mike Tyson taking out Michael Spinks, and Arturo Gotti beating Micky Ward in two straight Boardwalk Hall fights come to mind.
Will Ennis and Stanionis be remembered at Boardwalk Hall along with the greats? Who will walk out of the legendary arena with additional gold around their waist?
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