HOLLYWOOD, California — Eimantas Stanionis has been tied to PBC throughout his entire career, but big fights against the likes of Errol Spence Jr, Keith Thurman, Shawn Porter, Danny Garcia, Yordenis Ugas, and others never came to be for the career-long welterweight.
Jaron Ennis can also relate to the serious struggle in landing a willing and able dance partner.
So it’s entirely fitting that the IBF welterweight champion Ennis, ranked No. 1 by The Ring, and the WBA welterweight belt holder Stanionis, rated No. 2 by The Ring, square off against each other in a title unification clash April 12 at the Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City on DAZN. The Ring’s vacant title will be on the line as well.
“I am high-risk, low-reward. I guess no one wanted to fight me,” Stanionis told The Ring in an interview following a training session at the Wild Card Boxing gym in Los Angeles.
“I'm the 'yes' guy. I am the company guy. I'll fight anybody. Just give me a fight. My record speaks for myself. Now is my opportunity to get a big name.”
Ennis (33-0, 29 KOs) has long been billed as the future face of boxing in the United States. At 27, he’s finally been presented with an opportunity to capitalize on his potential after a ho-hum run of opponents in Karen Chukhadzhian (twice), David Avanesyan, and Roiman Villa over the last two years.
“He's everything everybody says he is. He's a great fighter,” said Stanionis. “About the future pound-for-pound king, you have to prove something in every fight. I don't look at his [Chukhadzhian performances]. It's his deal. Maybe he was not motivated … Sometimes you wake up, and maybe it's not the best day. People have big expectations of him and want to make him a big star in the United States. I understand that.”
Stanionis (15-0, 9 KOs) expects Ennis to rise to the occasion, and he’s promising to do the same.
“I am going to do my best to get the victory by any means necessary,” said Stanionis. “I am going to give all of my heart, that's for sure. I know it's not guaranteed. He's a great fighter, but I am too. I am putting in the work and I deserve to be here.
“For whoever says it's not possible, I will show on April 12. I believe in myself. This is the moment. It's now or never. It's do or die.”
Manouk Akopyan is a lead writer for The Ring. He can be reached on X and Instagram @ManoukAkopyan.