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Hearn Confirms Ennis-Stanionis Unification Talks!
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Eddie Hearn has confirmed that Jaron Ennis is in talks over a welterweight unification with Eimantas Stanionis

Ennis successfully defended his IBF Welterweight Title in his previous fight against Karen Chukhadzhian. But it was not the bout that fans hoped for after talks with other boxers over a unification broke down. Brian Norman Jr., the WBO Welterweight Champion, was unhappy about the money on offer. Meanwhile, a fight with Mario Barrios also never happened. Instead, he chose to box Abel Ramos on the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson card. There were also reports that Ennis was in discussions to take on Virgil Ortiz Jr. for a fight at 154 pounds. 

This would have been Ennis’ first fight at the weight class. There were suggestions that he would focus on trying to get a lucrative fight with Terence Crawford. But the Ortiz fight did not happen after reports that Ennis wanted the fight at 147. Since Ortiz could not make that weight after fainting while trying to do so previously, Boots turned his attention elsewhere. Stanionis holds the WBA belt. He is 15-0, with nine wins by a knockout. He had his last fight against Gabriel Maestre in May 2024, beating him to remain undefeated. Stanionis previously hit out at Ennis for not reaching out over making a fight. But Hearn has now said there are discussions taking place. 

Ennis’ Next Fight

“When he [Ennis] didn’t take the fight [with Vergil], his people could have called us. I’d be jumping in. Nobody called us. If he wants to stay at 147, he’s supposed to fight other champions,” Stanionis said 

“I’m hopeful we get it over the line; we’ll see. We’ll see,” Hearn stated

If Ennis can secure this fight and unify the division, he takes himself closer to establishing his legacy.  Ennis is at the peak of his career at 27 years old. If he can secure an undisputed title at 147, it will increase the narrative for him to move up to 154. He is naturally bigger than welterweight, meaning time is running out to solidify his position in the weight class.

The Aim

Dropping weight becomes much more difficult when fighters get older. He could follow the blueprint laid down by Terence Crawford, who finally became undisputed last year at 147. He had the WBO belt since 2018 but failed to get the Spence fight until five years later. Ennis will want to avoid waiting so long. Hearn recognized it was the time to secure a big unification.

“He will either unify in March or April or be in a huge fight against a huge name. When we announce the fight, you guys will say, ‘Okay, fair enough.’ A lackluster performance Chukhadzhian] will help us land a Stanionis or a Norman or a Barrios because they may think they can win now. Can we get the unification?’ ‘Actually, I believe, yes, we can get the unification.’ He said, ‘That’s what I really want to do.’ ‘Well, you’ve got a decision,’ and the decision was, ‘I’m staying at 147,” Hearn stated 

This article first appeared on BoxingNews.com and was syndicated with permission.

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