Undefeated Jaron Ennis has successfully unified boxing’s IBF and WBA welterweight belts after stopping Eimantas Stanionis with a sixth-round technical knockout win during a bruising world title fight in New Jersey.
In an explosive contest in Atlantic City on Saturday, Ennis prevailed after subjecting Stanionis to a barrage of savage body shots to be crowned the best fighter at 147 pounds (66kg).
The 30-year-old Stanionis had started brightly, catching Ennis with two crunching overhand rights in the third round. But Ennis, 27, responded with a dominant fourth round, wobbling Stanionis with his jab while relentlessly targeting the Lithuanian’s body.
Ennis sent Stanionis to the ropes and down to one knee with a series of left-handed uppercuts and body shots. Ennis stumbled Stanionis with a big blow to the body right before the bell — and the Philadelphia fighter stared him down as he strutted to the corner.
The seventh round never came after Stanionis’s corner decided the Lithuanian could not continue.
“When I fight top-of-the-line guys, good guys, that’s what you’re going to see,” Ennis said. “You’re going to see a whole different me. When I’ve got a top guy and I’m fighting for something, it’s a whole different story. Can’t nobody mess with me.”
Ennis soon covered his body in three championship belts.
“Is this what y’all looking for,” Ennis asked.