WBA welterweight titleholder Eimantas Stanionis told his IBF counterpart Jaron Ennis that he would be “all gas, no brakes” when they meet inside Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on Saturday.

Ennis replied: “He’s going to run into a rock or a boulder.”

Philadelphia’s Ennis, who told the final press conference today that he wanted to stay at 147lbs, pledged a big performance.  

“I’m ready to show out,” he said. “I’m ready to put on a show and show I’m the best in the world. Come Saturday night, I’m taking home all these belts. We expect him to do what he normally do: bring pressure, try to throw a lot of punches, try to jab, try to hook. That’s it. Typical pressure fighter. I don’t think he can do much else other than that. We’re going to show the world why I’m the best in the world.”

The fight pits Matchroom’s “Boots” Ennis against PBC’s Stanionis, and the latter thanked both sides for making it happen.

“It’s a big opportunity. I know Ennis is a very good fighter,” Stanionis said. “I know I came here to give it my all, my heart, and the best show. I know they think they might knock me out. First of all, I’ve never been knocked out, so we’ll see. I’m going to do my best. This camp was my most brutal training, it was my longest camp. I sacrificed a lot, I missed my family. My wife is pregnant; the baby might come today or tomorrow, so it’s a lot of sacrifices because I love the sport and I believe in myself.”

Said PBC’s Tom Brown: “This is a real fight. This is the best fighting the best. I think it’s going to be an instant classic and a Fight of the Year candidate.”

“Bozy” Ennis, father and trainer of Jaron, said: “Boots never went to another level yet. I hope Stanionis can bring it out there. If Stanionis can bring it out, you’re going to see something. But it’s not going to last that long.”
The elder Ennis is certain his son wins early. “Absolutely,” he said.