Jaron “Boots” Ennis once again showed us his ever-expanding skillset, forcing Eimantas Stanionis’ corner to retire him after six rounds at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. The unification victory saw Ennis retain his IBF welterweight title, add Stanionis’ WBA belt, and reaffirm the notion among many observers, including former champion Paulie Malignaggi, that he is the heir apparent at 147 pounds. Ennis’ use of rangy boxing and precise pot shots gradually broke down Stanionis, resulting in a rare stoppage where the losing fighter never found the sort of toe-to-toe brawl he appeared to crave.
One of the night’s biggest revelations was just how thoroughly Ennis outboxed his Lithuanian rival, leading Malignaggi to remark that the 27-year-old Philly native “got a stoppage without fighting.” Rather than trading blows or relying on a heavy-handed slugfest, Ennis dictated range and tempo, landing crisp combinations while staying out of harm’s way. By the end of the sixth, Stanionis had endured enough punishment to convince his corner that there was little point sending him out for the seventh round.
According to Paulie, size also factored into the disparity between the two welterweight champions. Ennis looked physically larger on fight night, presumably after rehydrating substantially. Stanionis, likened by some to an old-school bruiser, rarely closed the gap effectively and struggled to adapt as Ennis switched angles and peppered him with southpaw jabs. Each passing minute was only increasing the class difference, leaving little doubt as to which fighter would carry the welterweight mantle forward.
After dispatching Stanionis with ease, the conversation naturally shifts to whether he can continue to unify the division, and whether other elite welterweights will step up to test themselves against a boxer who just proved he can punish opponents without ever really brawling. With a heightened reputation and multiple titles now in tow, Ennis seems primed to deliver even bigger statements in the months ahead.
Image Credit: DAZN