Jaron “Boots” Ennis achieved an impressive technical knockout victory in the sixth round against Eimantas Stanionis, thus unifying the IBF and WBA welterweight titles in an exciting evening in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
From the start, IBF champion Ennis implemented a strategy focused on punishing Stanionis’ body. His effective jab paved the way for powerful body hooks that undermined his opponent.
Although Stanionis tried to impose his rhythm with a counterattack in the first round, Ennis responded with a constant jab and effective body shots. In the third round, Stanionis connected some right hands, but Ennis reacted in the fourth, intensifying his attack to the body and using his precise jab to damage Stanionis, who began to bleed from the nose.
In the sixth round, Ennis continued with his strategy, combining the jab with angled body shots. A series of punches forced Stanionis to take a knee. Although the round ended, Stanionis’s trainer, Marvin Somodio, decided to stop the fight before the start of the seventh.
I felt like I was getting into my rhythm, loosening up. I had fun, and my father told me, ‘Keep pressing, you’re going to stop him.’ And the craziest thing is that I dreamed that I would stop him like that in the seventh round. It came true.
Jaron “Boots” Ennis
Ennis emphasized the importance of enjoying the moment and showing his best version in the ring, demonstrating speed, power, and defense.
Despite Ennis connecting 19% of his total punches, compared to Stanionis’ 31%, he outlanded his opponent in power body shots, with a difference of 23 to 9.
Ennis (34-0, 30 KOs) defended his belt for the third time, after defeating Karen Chukhadzhian by unanimous decision in November, and has achieved six stoppage victories in his last eight fights.
Stanionis (15-1, 9 KOs), who was the WBA “regular” champion, suffered his first professional defeat.
I’m going to enjoy my victory, enjoy these belts. I’ll talk to the team and we’ll see what’s next.
Jaron “Boots” Ennis
In the co-main event, Raymond Ford (17-1-1, 8 KOs) dominated Thomas Mattice (22-5-1, 17 KOs), securing a unanimous decision victory.
Ford expressed his desire to face Eduardo Núñez in his next fight.
