Eimantas Stanionis says he sees flaws in Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis that he’s going to take advantage of when they meet in their 12-round welterweight unification match on April 12th at the Boardwalk Hall, in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Underdog Mentality
WBA champion Stanionis (15-0, 9 KOs) knows that he’s the underdog against IBF champ ‘Boots’ Ennis (33-0, 29 KOs), because he’s fighting in the U.S, and they’re trying to turn him into a star. But he says he’s accustomed to being the underdog for his fights in the States, and he welcomes it.
Ennis, 27, is coming off a career-worst performance in his rematch with Karen Chukhadzhian on November 9th, and there’s a lot Eimantas can get from watching that fight to take advantage of the Philadelphia native in April. Chukhadzhian looked like another Mayweather with the way he was easily outboxing Boots and making him look bad.
Going into the fight, Ennis had said a knockout would come once “I have my fun,” but he looked miserable the entire fight, getting embarrassed by Karen even more in the first fight. If not for Chukhadzhian gassing out late, Boots would have lost that fight.
“It’s do or die for me, and the same for him. It’s a big prize. It’s not just two belts. It’s also Ring Magazine,” said Eimantas Stanionis to Fighthype about his fight against Jaron Ennis on April 12th. “We have something to prove. So, when the bell rings, it’s going to be fireworks from the first round. When I came to the States, I was always the underdog. It was like in the amateurs.
“You travel to that place and that place. I would love to fight at home. I know I’ll be the underdog in this fight [Ennis], That’s what I like all the time. Yeah, because of the media, not because of the fight,” said Stanionis when asked why he feels he’s ‘the underdog’ for his clash against Boots Ennis.
“I don’t care what the odds are. I can be 20-1, it doesn’t matter. With me, it’s for him, and it should be like that. He’s from the United States. So, they’re hoping he’s going to be a big star. Of course, we’re all not perfect. We all make mistakes. It’s human nature. Yes, of course, I see some things, and I think I can show what’s wrong. We all have flaws. Me also,” said Stanionis when asked if he sees flaws in Ennis.
Stanionis isn’t known for being a boxer. So, it could be difficult for him to take advantage of the flaws in Boots Ennis’ game. It’s possible he can, and that’ll be a disaster for promoter Eddie Hearn. He’s talked constantly of wanting to turn Ennis into a star, but thus far, he doesn’t look ready.
Last Updated on 02/10/2025
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