JARON ‘Boots’ Ennis looks to stake his claim as the top dog at 147lbs with a clinical performance against WBA world welterweight champion Eimantas Stanionis.
The pair will lock horns for what promises to be an intriguing unification dustup this Saturday, with both putting their unblemished records and belts on the line.
Ahead of his assignment at the Broadwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey, IBF titlist Ennis, 33-0 (29 KOs), is considered by many to be a sizable favourite.
But here, Boxing News takes a closer look, from the perspective of both champions, at how the fight could be won and lost.
Jaron Ennis – Keys to Victory
‘Boots’ is a fighter who, while having crafted his own style in the ring, takes an enormous amount of inspiration from the likes of Floyd Mayweather, Pernell Whitaker and Roy Jones Jr.
From watching those three legends, in particular, he has largely befuddled opponents – tied them up in knots, even – with his feet.
Like any defensive technician, Ennis will often know when to dart in and out of range, step off to the side or create an angle to land his explosive attacks.
So, against a fighter like Stanionis, 15-0 (9 KOs), who, despite possessing strong fundamentals, is far from the most fluid mover, the American’s footwork could certainly be his most potent weapon.
Distance control
Stanionis is most effective when he creeps in on the inside, utilising his compact frame to land short, chopping hooks while maintaining a tight guard.
And so, instead of engaging with his opponent in a phone booth-style encounter, Ennis is far more likely to launch his attacks at long range.
In doing so, he would not only make greater use of his longer limbs but also, perhaps more importantly, avoid any exchanges that could see him drop to the canvas.
His jab, therefore, represents a key deterrent to prevent Stanionis from marching into range and swarming the American like an irritating rash.
Power
While both possess solid punching power, it could be said that Ennis’ shots – based on the eye test, at least – are marginally sharper and snappier when they connect.
But even if Stanionis proves to be the more devastating puncher, ‘Boots’ must nonetheless find a way to dent his opponent or, at the very least, earn himself a degree of respect.
That way, the Lithuanian would be far less eager to enter the pocket, knowing that, at any time, he could be at risk of getting emphatically stopped in his tracks.
But even if not for a tactical advantage, a more destructive performance from Ennis should remove any doubt over his place at the top of the welterweight tree.
Eimantas Stanionis – Keys to Victory
Work rate
Stanionis has gone the full 12-round distance in three of his last four outings and, in each of those fights, he displayed virtually no signs of fatigue.
In that sense, his gas tank appears to be one of his most valuable attributes ahead of this Saturday’s showdown, particularly when considering Ennis’ more laboured display against Karen Chukhadzhian last November.
That is not to say that the 27-year-old, who is clearly more fired up by the opportunity to unify his division, will not be able to keep up with his engine come fight night.
But still, it is important for Stanionis to maintain a high output so that, if nothing else, the judges may favour his greater activity.
Body shots
As a prolific body puncher, Stanionis has already established himself as a fighter who, while keeping his shots short and precise, loves nothing more than to dig away at his opponent’s torso.
Being the shorter combatant, too, the 30-year-old will have plenty of real estate to target when he steps into the ring with Ennis.
With any luck, a greater emphasis on body shots may even slow the feet of his opponent, presenting Stanionis with more opportunities to pile on the pressure and, as unlikely as it sounds, force a late stoppage.
Aggression at close quarters
While Ennis’ most eye-catching work is typically delivered at long range, the slick mover has equally displayed a willingness to, at times, mix it with his opponents on the inside.
Whenever that opening arrives, Stanionis must establish himself as the more dominant fighter up close, proving to the judges that his aggression represents a sizable issue for ‘Boots.’
More than that, the away fighter may even discover a moment – perhaps capitalising on a brief lapse in concentration from his opponent – where he can land one of his looping right hands over the top.
