This weekend, Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis aims to solidify his position in the welterweight division when he faces fellow world champion at 147lbs, Eimantas Stanionis.
Ahead of this unification fight, Kenny Ellis, the respected coach of Gervonta Davis, has shared his prediction, forecasting a victory for Ennis and drawing an interesting comparison between Stanionis and Dave Boy Green, a British world title contender from the 1970s.
Ennis, with a record of 33 wins and no losses, including 29 knockouts, is widely considered a top welterweight fighter. However, questions about his ability to maintain welterweight have arisen after a less impressive performance in his IBF title defense against Karen Chukhadzhian last November.
Despite this, Ennis has chosen to remain at 147lbs to pursue the undisputed championship instead of moving up to super-welterweight. Ennis has the opportunity to add the WBA title to his IBF belt if he can defeat Stanionis, who is 15-0 with 9 knockouts, at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.
Ellis predicts a decisive win for Ennis on Saturday night, stating on Instagram that he believes ‘Boots’ will win `within five rounds` despite both fighters being undefeated world champions.
Interestingly, Ellis likened Stanionis` fighting style to that of Dave Boy Green from Cambridgeshire, who had a record of 37-4 with 29 knockouts. Green faced two unsuccessful world title challenges against Carlos Palomino and ‘Sugar’ Ray Leonard in 1977 and 1980 respectively, both ending in stoppages.
Similar to Green, Stanionis employs a smart and aggressive forward-moving style, rarely retreating and comfortable fighting at close range. Both fighters show similarities in their varied attacks to the body and head, relying on their toughness to win in close-quarters battles.
Dave Boy Green retired in 1981 without securing a world title, largely due to the high level of welterweight competition during his era, rather than a lack of talent. His victories, including one over former WBC champion John H. Stracey, demonstrated the skills of the ‘Fenland Tiger’.
