Eimantas Stanionis is moments away from the end of his wait.
After not having fought since April 2022, the Lithuanian fighter is making a comeback tonight (May 4) at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, which is hosting one of the year’s most significant events. The main attraction of the evening will be the thrilling encounter between Tijuana’s fierce Jaime Munguia and Guadalajara’s reigning super-middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez. Fans eagerly await to see if Munguia can dethrone Alvarez during the Cinco de Mayo weekend.
Further down the card, there is a matchup between Stanionis, who holds a record of 14-0 with 9 knockouts, and Gabriel Maestre, a Venezuelan fighter based in Colombia. Despite Maestre being 37 years old, he has only fought seven times since turning professional five years ago. His record stands at 6-0-1 with 5 knockouts, which appears impressive on the surface. However, there have been controversies surrounding some of his victories, including a fortunate win against Mykal Fox in August 2021. Stanionis, on the other hand, holds an advantage over Maestre tonight. They previously faced each other nine years ago in Qatar at the AIBA Championships, and Stanionis emerged victorious.
Stanionis is not concerned about his opponent tonight; what matters to him is the fact that he is finally back in the boxing ring after a long and frustrating period since defeating Radzhab Butaev. The 29-year-old is just grateful for the opportunity to box once more.
“I’m not going to lie, it’s been [the] toughest time in my life,” he told Boxing News.
Boxing is my passion. It has provided me with everything I have and shaped my identity. I diligently followed the athlete’s protocol, consistently staying prepared, training rigorously, and embracing a positive mindset.
Prior to his bout with Butaev, the ex-MMA fighter and kickboxer made the decision to relinquish his place, thus enabling Yordenis Ugas to square off against Errol Spence Jr in a welterweight unification match. On that eventful evening at AT&T Stadium, Ugas suffered a defeat while Stanionis emerged victorious.
After gaining prominence through his fights against other contenders, he encountered a setback in January 2023 when he had to undergo an emergency appendectomy surgery. As a result, his eagerly awaited duel against Vergil Ortiz Jr. scheduled for March 2023 had to be postponed. Eventually, it was rescheduled for April 29. However, fate took a twist as Ortiz fell ill, leading to the cancellation of the fight for a second time. A new date of July 8 was tentatively set, but Ortiz’s health once again betrayed him.
Keith Thurman, a former welterweight champion, was scheduled to fight Stanionis on December 9 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. However, the Showtime pay-per-view event was canceled in favor of a non-ppv card, signifying the conclusion of the broadcaster’s involvement with boxing.
Stanionis pondered over his prolonged absence, expressing his vexations stemming from a time when his career could have taken a significant turn, either for better or worse.
They didn’t provide specific dates, but mentioned the possibility of your fight taking place in various months and on different dates.
“I signed a contract for fights, and it didn’t happen. I was mad. I was thinking, when am I fighting, what’s going on, and if I’ll fight again. In Lithuania every single day they ask me, when are you going to fight, what’s going on. Everybody expects over there. I have a lot of fans over there. I got tired of all the questions, though; it’s not so simple sometimes.”
Terence Crawford reigned supreme in the welterweight division last summer, asserting his dominance. His exceptional performance against Errol Spence Jr left no room for doubt, establishing him not only as the undisputed champion at 147lbs, conquering all four titles, but also as the unrivaled boxer in the world.
After Crawford took a break from the sport, the titles remained out of reach. However, now that he has chosen to move up to 154 lbs, there should be more chances for the upcoming welterweight contenders. Stanionis currently holds the WBA’s “Regular” championship, and defeating Maestre could open doors to even greater opportunities in the summer. After patiently waiting, does the passion still remain?
Without a doubt, undoubtedly I possess that burning determination. It has been a staggering two years since my last fight, thus igniting an immense fire within me. I am simply anticipating my upcoming match, hopeful that the higher power will grant me triumph, enabling us to pave the way for a prosperous future.
Regarding tonight’s opponent, Maestre, he acknowledges, “He possesses great power and is a skilled fighter. I appreciate his fighting style as he doesn’t evade much, which means we’ll engage in a thrilling battle at the center of the ring, embracing the essence of Cinco De Mayo Mexican style.”
Stanionis has a deep desire to engage in battles reminiscent of the “Mexican” style. He admires fighters like Arturo Gatti, Micky Ward, and Marvin Hagler, who have created unforgettable fights that have earned them a special place in the hearts of fans globally.
What is it about these types of fighters that attracts him?
Stanionis expressed, “I am unsure, but it brings me joy.”
He goes on to say, “It’s quite peculiar. I am aware that it’s not beneficial for one’s well-being. However, as an enthusiastic spectator of fights, particularly when they are intense and fierce, I can’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of exhilaration and nervousness. It’s absolutely mind-boggling. I used to experience the same intense emotions as a child. Whenever the fight becomes more challenging, my excitement escalates even further… come on, let’s do this!”
Does he aspire to participate in a brawl with a “Mexican” flair?
He responded, saying, “The chaos is appealing to me. It’s where I find solace. I desire to immerse myself in the flames.”
When Stanionis abandoned his career as an MMA fighter and kickboxer, he was thrust into the fiery depths.
He remembered how he was beaten up in the gym when he tried boxing.
“I believe that’s what I enjoy. I came to this realization following a physical altercation. Surprisingly, within a month, I started performing exceptionally well against those who had beaten me before. As time went on, I even started overpowering them. It was a monumental achievement for me to become the Lithuanian champion, especially considering that nobody was familiar with my abilities.”
The welterweight division is currently undergoing a period of transition, introducing fresh contenders and exciting challenges. Stanionis, Jaron Ennis, Shakhram Giyasov, Giovanni Santillan, Cody Crowley, and Mario Barrios are among the aspiring fighters aiming to fill the void left by Crawford and Spence Jr. Furthermore, we might witness a super-lightweight takeover if Teofimo Lopez and Devin Haney opt to explore new territories once more.
Stanionis cautions, “I can be the one to introduce the 140 individuals who show up or the 147 individuals.”
Count on me without a doubt, for I will consistently be present and committed. No tricks, no nonsense, just unwavering support. Rest assured, I will show up and confront anyone who challenges us.
