"Boots" Ennis Stops Stanionis in Dominant Unification Victory
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 13 Apr 2025
American star Jaron "Boots" Ennis has cemented his place at the top of the welterweight division, securing a dominant sixth-round TKO victory over erstwhile Eimantas Stanionis of Lithuania to unify the IBF, WBA, and Ring Magazine Welterweight titles Saturday night (Sunday in Manila) in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Stanionis, who absorbed punishing blows throughout the fight, refused to answer the bell for the seventh round, handing Ennis the emphatic win.
From the opening bell, Ennis showcased his superior speed, power, and ring generalship. The Philadelphia native controlled the distance effectively, landing stinging jabs and powerful combinations that consistently troubled the previously undefeated Stanionis. Each round saw Ennis dictating the pace and steadily breaking down his Lithuanian opponent highlighted by a bloody nose sustained by Stanionis as the rounds progressed.
The fifth round proved to be a turning point. After weathering a barrage of relentless combinations from Ennis, Stanionis was forced to take a knee. While he beat the count, the knockdown served as a clear indication of Ennis's dominance and the punishment Stanionis was absorbing.
Despite his toughness and resilience, Stanionis continued to be outboxed and outgunned in the sixth round. Ennis continued to land heavy shots, and by the end of the round, Filipino trainer Marvin Somodio, seeing his fighter absorbing too much punishment, made the decision to stop the fight. Stanionis remained on his stool as the bell rang for the seventh round, confirming Ennis's victory by TKO.
In his post-fight interview, an elated Ennis stated, "I felt great in there. My jab was working, my combinations were landing. I knew it was just a matter of time. Stanionis is a tough fighter, but I was just too strong and too skilled tonight." He thanked his team and the fans for their support and reiterated his ambition to become the undisputed welterweight champion.
The victory marks a significant milestone in Jaron Ennis's career, establishing him as a unified world champion in one of boxing's most competitive divisions. His dominant performance against a previously undefeated and highly regarded opponent sends a clear message to the rest of the welterweight contenders.
The undercard preceding the main event also delivered its share of excitement. Raymond Ford successfully defended his WBA Continental North America Super Featherweight title with a dominant unanimous decision victory over Thomas Mattice. Shakhram Giyasov overcame personal adversity to secure an emotional fourth-round knockout victory against Franco Ocampo, while Omari Jones impressed with a first-round knockout. Earlier in the evening, Francisco Rodriguez, Arturo Cardenas, Tahmir Smalls, and Zaquin Moses all secured victories in their respective bouts. However, the night belonged to Jaron "Boots" Ennis, who delivered a statement-making performance to claim unified welterweight glory in Atlantic City.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
It’s in the blood
By Joaquin Henson, Tue, 19 May 2026“The fans will be the true winners” – Angel Ayala ready for IBA PRO 18 in Mexico City
Tue, 19 May 2026Rematch option for Melvin
By Joaquin Henson, Tue, 19 May 2026World-class stablemates John ‘Scrappy’ Ramirez & Darius ‘DFG’ Fulghum fighting on same card Friday night in San Jose
Tue, 19 May 2026Ignacio Defeats Malayan to Claim Title and USD 10,000 Prize
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 19 May 2026USA Boxing Elite High Performance Squad Dominates Day One of 2026 Copa America with 11-0 Record
Tue, 19 May 2026Reina Tellez Returns to the Ring Following World Title Challenge Against Amanda Serrano
Mon, 18 May 2026Mombay, Garras top Helubong 50km Uphill Ultra Challenge
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 18 May 2026Arijan Goricki Knocks Out Hassan Ndonga in Nairobi
Mon, 18 May 2026USA Boxing's High Performance Squad Sets Sights on Gold at 2026 Copa America
Mon, 18 May 2026Team Sugar Rush wins Sir Jessie Villasin Chess Team 2X2 Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 18 May 2026Paolo Gallito, 6 others in the last 16 in Malaysia
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 17 May 2026Keyshawn Davis Returns Home With Decision Win Over Nahir Albright
Sun, 17 May 2026Heartbreak in Johannesburg: Jerusalem Dethroned by Kuse in Bloody Rematch
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 17 May 2026Roy Jones Jr. Blasts Dana White and Zuffa’s Push to Reshape Boxing During Explosive “Boxing Primetime Show” Interview
Sat, 16 May 2026