Jaron “Boots” Ennis not only defeated Eimantas Stanionis on Saturday evening – he Usuked his. Systematically, thoroughly and without one wasted movement, Ennis ripped the previously undefeated Lithuanian and left it to fall, broken and completely with answers in the sixth round. IBF and WBA belts now belong to one man. And this man is everything he said he was.
It wasn’t just a win. It was statement. Noisy, brutal, surgical.
Performance requiring respect – whether you like it or not
For years, the boxing world has whispered that Ennis is “the future”. Too quick, too powerful, too shrewd, too velvety. Has all tools. Power in both hands. Defense as tight as its disappearance. The Ring IQ so high is that experienced pretenders look like sparring partners. On Saturday evening at Atlantic City whispers were set on fire.
There is no longer waiting. The kid from Germanown became a man at the age of 147.
Shoes boxed as if he had something to prove. He controlled the distance, dictated the tempo and neutralized Stanionis’s pressure sufficiently enough to divide the atoms. The guard was pushed, punished his body and turned out of reach, as if he were skating. In the fifth round, Blood spilled out of Stanionis’s face – the price for thinking that it could stand before the problem such as Ennis and survive.
It ended in the sixth round. A few malicious shots from the body fell apart. A wild explosion upstairs laid it like a lawn chair. He defeated the count – but there was no point in continuing. His corner knew about it. Everyone is watching about it. It wasn’t a fight. It was a demolition.
Critics were thunderous after Chukhadzhian – now they are serene
Let’s take care of it. This last trip? Rematch Karen Chukhadzhian? Not great. Flat. Uninteresting. People started talking. Saying that the shoes were “exposed”, “exaggerated”, “not ready”. Well – where are they now?
Because This The Ennis shoes version was flawless. Mature. Have in mind. Glacial. He did not chase the knockout – he constructed him. Round round. Hit with a blow. He made Stanionis look like he didn’t belong. And it was not mandatory. Stanionis was guy. Invincible. True. The only other welterweight weight with a claim. Now? This is just another name on CV Ennis.
Mario Barrios? Brian Norman Jr.? They are next. But none of them has what shoes they have. None of them works at this level.
“My next fight will definitely be under a credible name, bigger than Jamaine Ortiz,” Keyshawn told Fight Hub TV.
Since stopping Jamaine Ortiz in the 12th round on January 31 at Madison Square Garden, Keyshawn has been openly calling for bigger fights. He has mentioned names from junior welterweights and welterweights in interviews and on social media, including Devin Haney, Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz, Richardson Hitchins, Lewis Crocker and Lamont Roach Jr.
These challenges followed a performance that Keyshawn pointed to as evidence that he was among the top contenders. He dropped and stopped Ortiz in a fight where several previous opponents had gone the distance against a hard-wearing opponent. Now Keyshawn says the next step will take him to a welterweight title shot.
“I think I’m on the rise,” Keyshawn said when asked about the importance of his next fight, confirming plans to compete at 147 pounds and indicating the fight will be for the world championship.
Keyshawn did not name his opponent, but hinted that the fight would be a step up from his last fight. He also said that discussions about this fight have already taken place and that his return could come sooner than many expect.
A move up to welterweight would place Keyshawn in one of boxing’s most competitive divisions, with several established fighters already competing for title opportunities and championship fights receiving constant attention.
One possible opponent at 147 pounds is IBF champion Lewis Crocker, who Keyshawn mentioned when discussing future fights. Keyshawn has previously said he would be willing to head to the UK to challenge Crocker if a title opportunity arises. No agreement has been announced, but a fight has emerged as one potential path if the fighter wins the welterweight title outright.
For now, Keyshawn says preparations for his return are already underway as talks continue for a world title fight.
Robert Segal is a boxing reporter at Boxing News 24 with over a decade of experience covering fight news, previews and analysis. Known for his first-hand reporting and in-ring perspective, he delivers authoritative coverage of champions, challengers and emerging talent from around the world.
Canelo Alvarez talked about how long he could stay in the sport before hanging up his gloves and opting for a decorated career.
The 35-year-old is already destined for a place in the Hall of Fame, as he became a four-division world champion, but he still wants to compete at the highest level.
Since his professional debut in 2005, the Mexican has made 68 appearances and has twice become the undisputed king of the 168-pound division, scoring notable victories over the likes of Callum Smith and Caleb Plant.
More controversial was their first meeting a year earlier, when many felt Golovkin had done enough to claim a convincing victory and the Kazakhstan ended in a draw.
Still, Canelo received plenty of credit for his follow-up triumph before dethroning Sergei Kovalev to capture the WBO featherlight heavyweight title over a year later.
Alvarez’s second undisputed super middleweight reign came to an end last September when Terence Crawford moved up two weight classes and won a unanimous decision.
But Canelo explained anyway Froch About the fight that he can still compete for another two years, maybe even longer, depending on how often his opportunities come along.
“I don’t know. I think maybe two years. I don’t need it, [but] I still enjoy it. If I [fight] maybe once a year [I can go on] a little bit [longer].
“Once a year to rest my body, I think I can fight more [than two years]”
Although an official announcement has not yet been made, Canelo is scheduled to fight in Riyad, Saudi Arabia this September, and Turki Alalshikh has promised to fight for the world title.
Boxing’s worst kept secret has now been confirmed – Naoya Inoue (32-0, 27 KO) and Junto Nakatani (32-0, 24 KO) will meet on May 2 at the Tokyo Dome for Inoue’s undisputed junior featherweight championship.
The all-Japan clash was formally announced at a press conference in Japan. The fight will be broadcast live on Lemino pay-per-view; US distribution rights have not yet been announced.
Inoue – ESPN’s No. 2 pound-for-pound boxer – is coming off an impressive 2025 in which he competed four times, defeating Kim Ye-Joon, Ramon Cardenas, Murodjon Akhmadaliev and David Picasso. Thanks to Inoue’s unanimous decision victory over Picasso in December, Nakatani defeated Sebastian Hernandez in the second fight of the night in a tougher-than-expected fight. Their victories set up a long-awaited clash between two of Japan’s best players.
Nakatani is ranked No. 6 pound-for-pound by ESPN and will look to become a four-division champion after winning world titles at bantamweight, junior bantamweight and flyweight. Although Nakatani narrowly won his junior featherweight debut in a grueling fight against Hernandez, Nakatani proved he was one of the best fighters in the world and had a powerful showing in 2025, winning 3-0.
The Undercard will feature Inoue’s younger brother Takuma defending his WBC bantamweight title against former four-division titleholder Kazuto Ioka.
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