Teddy Atlas Picks Ennis To Dethrone Stanionis – ‘I Don’t See Ennis Having A Problem’
Teddy Atlas gave his insight on Jaron Ennis vs. Eimantas Stanionis’ welterweight unification fight this weekend.
Ennis is looking to unify the division by adding Stanionis’ WBA welterweight title to his IBF belt. Boots is considered the favorite with a 33-0 record, which includes 29 knockouts. Ennis is known for being a power puncher, while Stanionis is known for being very durable. The latter likes to fight on the inside. The key dynamic in this fight will be whether Stanionis can close the gap or whether Ennis will be able to keep him on the outside with his jab.
Alternatively, even if Stanionis gets on the inside, will he risk suffering damage from Ennis, who is known for his good footwork and ability to let off explosive combinations from angles? The winner knows that they take a step closer to becoming the undisputed champion with possible fights against the WBC champion Mario Barrios and the WBO champion Brian Norman Jr. Atlas gave Ennis the edge as he outlined how the fight could play out.
Ennis Vs. Stanionis
“For me: [Stanionis is] physically strong, aggressive, covers up well, presses behind the jab, looks to throw the left hook a lot, goes to the body. He blocks more than he moves his head. He will move his head, he depends on blocking a lot. Keeps his hands up, covered, you know, tries to make himself into a tank, and then he can come forward. And it’s hard to penetrate his cover.
“Uh, sometimes he throws a left hook to the body from a little too far away. I think he could be vulnerable to a right-hand counter by Ennis when he does that. You can split his guard down the middle. You know, I like when guys cover up well, but if they stay stationary, you can blind them with the jab—kind of like George Foreman. You blind them with the jab and you shoot the right hand right down the middle. You can catch them. I think Ennis is going to have chances to do that.
More Reaction
“Uh, he could be vulnerable to the uppercut. He leans forward a little bit. Again, you know, he’s got the muffs on, he leans forward a little bit, he could be vulnerable to that uppercut—which of course, Ennis throws a good uppercut. He throws a lot of good shots.
“I don’t see Ennis having a problem with him. I see Ennis controlling the outside. I see him making him pay a price to get inside—because Stanionis can’t win on the outside. He’s going to have to get inside and make something happen with Ennis. I see Ennis making him pay a price with the uppercut, with the jab, making it hard for him to get inside. And then even on the inside, I see Ennis—he knows how to fight inside too. I see him having the edge with hand speed. He throws short punches. He can put power punches together,” Teddy Atlas
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