Jaron 'Boots' Ennis Unifies Welterweight Titles with Dominant TKO Victory Over Eimantas Stanionis
In a career-defining performance, Jaron "Boots" Ennis (34-0, 30 KOs) solidified his claim as the premier welterweight by stopping Eimantas Stanionis (15-1) in the sixth round to unify the IBF and WBA titles Saturday night at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. The fight, billed as a clash between the division’s top two contenders, ended emphatically after Ennis’s relentless body attack left Stanionis unable to continue, prompting his corner to halt the bout before the seventh round.
The Fight Breakdown Stanionis, the WBA champion, started aggressively, landing sharp overhand rights in the third round that briefly tested Ennis’s chin. But the 27-year-old Philadelphian adjusted swiftly, systematically breaking down the Lithuanian with pinpoint jabs and crippling body shots. By the fourth round, Ennis had seized control, staggering Stanionis with a left uppercut and flooring him with a combination to the midsection in the sixth. CompuBox stats underscored Ennis’s dominance: he landed 81 total punches (65 power shots) to Stanionis’s 58, despite throwing more than twice as many.
Post-Fight Reactions Ennis, now a unified champion, dismissed doubts about his ability to make 147 lbs, stating, "I make ’47 easy… I’m healthy and strong. No one can mess with me". His promoter, Eddie Hearn, hinted at potential moves to 154 or even 160 lbs, but Ennis emphasized unfinished business: "I’d beat anybody at welterweight. The world knows I’m the best". Stanionis, suffering his first career loss, praised Ennis’s skill but vowed to rebound.
The Road Ahead With the WBO (Brian Norman Jr.) and WBC (Mario Barrios) titles still up for grabs, Ennis eyes further unification. Analysts speculate whether his power and speed will translate at higher weights, but for now, the welterweight division has a new king.
The event, streamed live and attended by a sold-out crowd, marked a pivotal moment in boxing’s post-Crawford era, proving Ennis’s readiness for the sport’s brightest lights.