For the past few years, the welterweight division has been something of an afterthought.

That will change on Saturday when IBF titlist Jaron Ennis faces WBA ruler Eimantas Stanionis in a unification that will also crown the Ring champion at Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey.

The event dubbed "Claim The Crown" will be broadcast on DAZN at 6:00 p.m. ET/ 3:00 p.m. PT.

Ennis, rated at No. 1 by The Ring at welterweight, learned to box from a very young age, in Philadelphia, with his father and brothers. “Boots” has an elite mix of power and speed that has been a nightmare for anyone he’s faced so far.

The 27-year-old brutally dispatched former junior welterweight titleholder Sergey Lipinets (KO 6), Thomas Dulorme (KO 1), Custio Clayton (KO 2), Roiman Villa (KO 10). He had a homecoming against David Avanesyan (RTD 5) which further hinted he maybe special. However, the American switch-hitter looked less impressive last time out when he went over old ground and beat Karen Chukhadzhian (UD 12).

Stanionis, rated at No. 2 by The Ring at welterweight, turned professional after an excellent amateur career concluded at the 2016 Olympics. The 30-year-old Lithuanian moved to America and his aggressive style allowed him to adapt quickly to the professional ranks.

He owns wins over Justin DeLoach (KO 9), Thomas Dulorme (UD 12) and overcame the previously unbeaten Radzhab Butaev via hard-fought 12-round split decision to win the WBA title. A snake-bitten fight with Vergil Ortiz failed to come to pass, which have left him on the sidelines for two-years. He returned with a win over Gabriel Maestre (UD 12) in May 2024.

How will Ennis (33-0, 29 knockouts) deal with the diligent pressure of Stanionis? Can Stanionis (15-0, 9 KOs) force Ennis into a dog fight? Is Ennis showing signs of struggling to make 147-pounds? If so, might that become an issue in this fight? Stanionis hasn't fought in almost a year and before that he was sidelined waiting for Vergil Ortiz for two-years and while he's been in the gym that's far from ideal.

Online gambling group William Hill lists Ennis as an 2/9 (-450) favorite, while Stanionis is priced at 3/1 (+300); the draw is 16/1 (+1600).

Here's how the experts see it: THE RING MAGAZINE.

"It doesn't get much better at welterweight in 2025. I like Boots to win, but I think he'll be tested in this fight, and when he lifts the Ring Magazine championship, he'll have earned it. Stanionis can't match the American for skill or speed, but he's game, durable, strong, and defensively adept behind that high guard. The away fighter also hits hard enough to get an opponent's respect, so Boots will be judicious with his offense and pick his spots carefully. I foresee a points win for Ennis in the 117-111 range."

"The best opponent either has faced to date. Both have very different styles, but I expect them to mesh well on fight night. Stanionis is tough and brings pressure, but I feel as though Boots speed and power give him the edge. As long as he doesn't get greedy and stay in the pocket too long, I think he wins this one fairly handily. I've long been high on Boots and while he didn't look great last time, I attribute that to him not feeling any danger. I feel Stanionis is teak-tough and if Boots can get the stoppage win that would be a real statement. I'll go Boots to win a wide 12-round unanimous decision."

"In a part unification title fight at the famous boardwalk in Atlantic City, Boots Ennis gets a chance to add the WBA belt to his resume, in what on paper, looks like a routine victory. But and I stress but, Stanionis is a busy two-fisted hustler. Ennis up until now has blown hot and cold, Boots must surely put on a first-class performance if he is to lay claim as being the man to beat at 147-pounds. The WBA champion, Stanionis, is a solid but not a spectacular champion. He has an excellent engine and throws punches from unusual angles, but the finger of expectation will be directly pointed at Ennis. A stoppage victory, which will, in turn, send a message to the other champions, he's coming for them. I'm going for Ennis 12-round majority decision."

"I believe it will be a great fight and both fighters will show why they are champions. I can't really say who will win because the stakes are high, and I know both fighters are working harder than they ever have, so we may see the best that these two have to offer. It’s a toss up."

"If the same Boots Ennis shows up on April 12 that we saw in November, it will be trouble. That night he looked flat and it was alarming to see him get hit clean as many times as he did. I expect a better version of 'Boots' this time because he knows that in Stanionis he's facing a rugged, heavy-handed grinder. This is a guy who is solid physically and a real threat. However, his style could also be tailor made for Ennis, who won't have to work hard to find him in there. I like Ennis by KO 9 in an entertaining back and forth affair."

"Tremendous fight. Two very talented champions. I really like Stanionis jab and how he looked vs. Maestre. However, I believe this will show how good Boots really is. It will be a very good fight, close and possibly controversial. In the end, we may was a rematch. Boots 12-round split decision."

"It is a great fight for the division. I see Ennis with a unanimous decision win. I think Ennis’ power, height and reach advantage, along with his skill set will be simply too much for Stanionis. Stanionis is very good, but I feel Ennis has more in every area."

"Boots two fights over Karen will help against another durable guy. Plus, in A.C., Stanionis will have to drop Boots four times to get a draw. Boots TKO 10."

"It’s really a pick 'em fight, I get a slight edge to Boots. I think he could do a few more things. Stanionis is really, really good at what he does. I think Boots can fight a couple of different ways, he's more athletic than Stanionis. The winner is gonna be the fans no doubt in my mind. I have a slight favor Boots."

"I think Ennis is getting a bad rap from that last fight. Chukhadzhian is very solid fighter, who in my opinion can beat some of the champs right now. Ennis did get hit a little too much, but I think he’ll be on his game vs Stanionis who is a very dangerous fighter but right there in front of you. I think it’ll go into the second half of the fight with Ennis scoring a stoppage. It’s a fight I'm looking forward to seeing."

"This is a great fight, both guys undefeated and in their prime. Stanionis inactivity could come into play, went 12 rounds in his last fight, but only one fight since 2022. Ennis on the other hand, so much buzz around him for the previous couple of years. Contrary to what the current odds say, I think Stanionis finds a way here. I thought Karen Chukhadzhian fought really well in that last fight with Ennis, and he landed a lot of shots and made it a fight. I think if Eimantas can apply similar pressure, plus some more power behind his punches than Karen was able to offer, he can slow Ennis down and get himself a decision win. Eimantas Stanionis for the upset decision win."

"Many experts in boxing think that Jaron Ennis will be the next mega star, and I tend to share the same opinion. Ennis brings to the table, talent, technique and physical strength but he will find in Eimantas Stanionis his best opponent so far. Stanionis may not have the power of Ennis, but he is a hard worker who believes in his own capacity to win that fight and has already seen the same kind of talent in the ring as Jaron Ennis during his successful amateur career. Although I see a very competitive fight, I think Ennis will cross the finish line first. Ennis 12-round unanimous decision."

"We're going to get a fight. Both are not runners; they like to fight. The fight is very interesting since they both fight inside and outside. It could be Fight of the Year. In a barn burner, I'm going with Boots by stoppage. The power is with Boots and his skills are underrated."

"I like this fight a lot and I think it's going to be tough enough where Boots is going to be tested, probably more than ever in his career thus far. I'll pick him on a tougher than expected 12-round decision."

"A good competitive fight for the welterweight division but Boots wins by boxing. He puts on a boxing lesson, maybe even gets a stoppage in the second half of the fight. You see that head on ole boy, shouldn't be hard to hit at all."

"Boots is going to smoke him. Boots versus anyone at 147, I think is a miss match. I don't think there's anyone that can compete with him. Boots will probably win by stoppage, it depends on what he wants to do. He can fight 12-rounds just because he wants to box him or just got for it. I can't predict how I just know he's going to win 100 percent."

"I think this is the best fight to be made at 147 right now. Two of the top belt holders up against each other with the winner more than likely headed towards being undisputed champ at 147 in the next 18 months. I like Boots by 12-round unanimous decision."

"I got Boots in a helluva fight. I think Stanionis tests Ennis to his limits, but Boots lives up to the hype and wins a decision in a Fight of the Year type battle."

"Ennis and Stanionis come into this matchup undefeated, making it a highly anticipated clash of styles. Ennis, a dynamic switch-hitter with serious power, will face Stanionis, a relentless pressure fighter known for his high output and forward-moving aggression. Expect Stanionis to try to close the distance early, forcing Ennis to fight on the inside where he can target the body and head with short left and right hooks. That strategy could pay off - if Stanionis can absorb the power Ennis brings. Ennis, on the other hand, will look to keep space and use his slick footwork and ability to switch stances to set up punishing shots. His hard lefts to the body and sharp hooks to the head could wear Stanionis down. If Ennis controls the range and pace, a stoppage around the seventh round seems likely."