“Nightmare Style” Threatens Boots Ennis’ Reign: Algieri Highlights Stanionis’ Power And Echoes Of Chukhadzhian’s Success

Commenator Chris Algieri says IBF welterweight champion Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis has a difficult fight ahead of him on Saturday against WBA champ Eimantas Stanionis. The two 147-lb champions will headline, live on DAZN, this Saturday, April 12th, at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

The venue favors the East Coast fighter, Boots, who comes from Philadelphia, but it might not matter. Stanionis’s punching power and skills could be too much for Ennis in this fight.

The Chukhadzhian Comparison

Algieri states that the things that Karen Chukhadzhian was able to do in his two fights against Boots (33-0, 29 KOs) that gave him trouble, Stanionis (15-0, 9 KOs) can also do but with more power and explosiveness.

Ennis, 27, looked confused and technically outclassed by Chukhadzhian in their two fights. His punching power saved him. If not for that, Boots would have lost both fights because he was getting outboxed by the Ukrainian from A to B.

“I love this fight. You’ve got two guys in their prime. It’s the absolute #1 and #2 in the division,” said Chris Algieri to YSM Sports Media, talking about the Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis vs. Eimantas Stanionis welterweight unification fight this Saturday night in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Hearn’s Concerns

Boots Ennis’ promoter Eddie Hearn had been hyping him up after he signed him to a multi-fight contract with Matchroom last year. However, Hearn doesn’t sound as excited about him after Ennis’s performances against David Avanesyan and Karen Chukhadzhian.

The honeyman appears to be over. Hearn recently warned that Ennis can’t afford another performance like the one he turned in against Karen. One gets the sense this might be the last fight for Boots with Matchroom if he fails to look like 24k gold like he had been when he signed with them a year ago.

Ennis hurt his popularity further by rejecting a fight against Vergil Ortiz Jr. at 154 last February, which would have given him millions and, some believe, made Hearn’s investment in him worthwhile. Turning down the big payday opportunity was a blow-it move by Boots because his marketability would have soared if he’d won. Was it fear? It’s not to see it that way.

Stylistic Nightmare

“I rate Stanionis very high, and I have for a long time. So, this fight makes too much sense. It’s like, ‘What’s going on? We’re actually getting a fight when we’re supposed to happen.’ We’re not dragging it out; we’re not overseasoning them. We’re getting the fight when we want it,” said Algieri.

“Stanionis and Ennis, it’s happening at the perfect time. Listen, it’s not an easy fight. Do I lean for Ennis? Absolutely. I lean for Ennis against anybody but Stanionis; stylistically, he’s a nightmare. He’s in your face. The things that Karen Chukhadzhian was able to do with Ennis that gave him trouble, Stanionis does it more explosively with bigger power,” said Algieri.