By Hans Themistode
Jaron Ennis isn’t one of your typical fighters looking to scrape by, he wants to dominate.
So far, Ennis has done everything that he needs to do. With each passing fight, he doesn’t just win, he annihilates the competition. There are a few exceptions of course. Karen Chukhadzhian, on two separate occasions, gave Ennis a tough time in the ring. But essentially, outside of him, Ennis has handed out beatings like a family giving out candy on Halloween.
In a few weeks, he'll attempt to keep things going when he takes on Eimantas Stanionis in an IBF/WBA welterweight unification. To make things even more interesting, the winner of their showdown will walk away with The Ring Magazine belt as well.
For participating, Ennis will make another seven-figure payday, something he’s accustomed to. At this stage, he has more money than he could ever imagine but that isn’t his biggest motivational factor.
Like anyone in their respective profession, Ennis (31-0, 29 KOs) wants and has been well compensated. But while the extra zeros in his bank account are appreciated, he doesn’t want to be known as some money-hungry fighter who focused on the financial benefits of the sport.
“The money cool but I just love beating up people and taking these belts,” said Ennis during a recent interview with former two-division champion, Shawn Porter. “That's what I want to be known for.”
Stanionis, by far, should be Ennis’ toughest test. He’s fresh off a one-sided unanimous decision win over Gabriel Maestre. If he wanted, he could have milked his WBA title against a few nondescript mandatories and underwhelming bottom feeders. But, to his credit, he pushed for a showdown against Ennis.
They’ll both make Atlantic City their home on April 12th when they officially get it on at Boardwalk Hall. DAZN will broadcast the event globally.