HOLLYWOOD, California — Eimantas Stanionis gets stir crazy when he’s not preparing for combat.

If that’s the case, then the WBA welterweight crown holder should have no problem staying calm and carrying on ahead of his title unification clash against IBF champion Jaron Ennis on April 12 at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City on DAZN. The vacant Ring title will also be on the line for the division’s top-two rated fighters.

Stanionis (15-0, 9 KOs) has been snake-bitten in recent years with a rash of inactivity. He’s fought only once since April 2022, a unanimous decision win against Gabriel Maestre in May. Stanionis was chasing an anticipated slugfest against Vergil Ortiz Jr. that never came to fruition, as the fight was canceled three times in 15 months.

“When I am not in training camp, I get crazy and depressed,” Stanionis told The Ring in an interview following a training session with trainer Marvin Somodio at the Wild Card Boxing gym in Los Angeles.

“One day I am happy; one day something crazy is going on in my head, some demons. When I am in camp, I am focused. I love training. Of course, I don't like to be away from my family. It's hard. But it's the sacrifices for the sport. It's my first love. I grew up with the sport. I don't want to sit around. I am always training. It's my life.”

The 2016 Lithuanian Olympian Stanionis is now training for the biggest and toughest test of his career against Ennis (33-0, 29 KOs). Stanionis is listed as a significant underdog, but he’s not putting much weight into his +450 odds because he believes his highly-touted counterpart is beatable.

“We're all human. We all have flaws. We all make mistakes,” said Stanionis. “I don't want to overthink anything because you can go in the ring and it changes. We'll see on April 12. I'm going to go in there and have fun. Training camp is the hardest, the fight is the fun part. I can't wait.”

Stanionis said his game plan against Ennis is simple – to go all in without any fear.

“I was always doubting myself if I could ever achieve becoming a world champion. That was my first dream,” said Stanionis. “I like competition. You need it. That's when you show your true character and who you are as an athlete. I don't want easy fights. I want hard fights. I want to see where I am at. It's on me.

“I know I am fighting in his backyard, and everything is against me. I am mentally prepared. Nobody can stop me. Mentally, I am in a good place.”