Eimantas Stanionis continues march toward title shot against Luis Collazo

Eimantas Stanionis continues his march toward a welterweight title shot against Luis Collazo on Saturday in Minneapolis.

Eimantas Stanionis hopes to be a first.

No fighter from Lithuania, Stanionis’ home country, has ever won a major championship in boxing. And the 2016 Olympian from the town of Kaunas is closing in on a chance to capture a belt.

Stanionis (13-0, 9 KOs) faces 40-year-old Luis Collazo on Saturday at The Armory in Minneapolis on Fox.

“I just have to win and keep winning,” said Stanionis, who is based in Oxnard, Calif. “I want to get to the world title shot. Lithuania has never had a pro world champion and I want to make history. I have great competition on Saturday, and I want to show that I can compete with any of the top guys.

“I think I deserve the title shot if I win on Saturday. I’m ranked high (No. 1) by the WBA and I’m going to be in position to fight the best sooner rather than later.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJf-sbIbDNo

The 26-year-old is coming off his most significant victory, a wide decision over Thomas Dulorme in April.

Stanionis got off to a slow start against his fit, inspired opponent but he kept the pressure on the Puerto Rican veteran to take control of the title eliminator and win convincingly. Still, he wasn’t satisfied.

He said he’ll be sharper on Saturday night.

“I got confidence from my last fight knowing that I can go 12 hard rounds,” he said. “I got tested in that fight against Thomas Dulorme, but I think it was my worst night. I was not at my best. This time I’m 100 percent prepared and ready to go.”

Collazo (39-8, 20 KOs) was at his best more than a decade ago and is coming off a one-sided technical decision loss to Kudratillo Abdukakhorov in October 2019, which was the New Yorker’s most recent fight.

However, he had a nice run in his previous three fights, beating Sammy Vasquez, Bryant Perrella and Samuel Vargas over a two-year period.

He isn’t the fighter who gave a prime Ricky Hatton problems in a losing cause in 2006 but he can still fight a little.

“This is going to be my last fight on Saturday night,” Collazo said. “The sport is overwhelming in many ways and sometimes it’s hard to enjoy it. Even saying that, I’m bringing everything I’ve got on Saturday. I’m going to leave my mark once again.

“Right now the only thing he has on me is age. Age doesn’t matter though, when you fight and stay in the gym like I do. That’s what I do for a living. I’ve been consistent and there’s no excuses coming into this fight.”

Stanionis is taking nothing for granted.

“Collazo has faced the top guys and he likes to fight fire with fire like I do,” he said. “I am prepared for an action-packed fight.”

[lawrence-related id=22222]

Eimantas Stanionis continues march toward title shot against Luis Collazo

Eimantas Stanionis continues his march toward a welterweight title shot against Luis Collazo on Saturday in Minneapolis.

Eimantas Stanionis hopes to be a first.

No fighter from Lithuania, Stanionis’ home country, has ever won a major championship in boxing. And the 2016 Olympian from the town of Kaunas is closing in on a chance to capture a belt.

Stanionis (13-0, 9 KOs) faces 40-year-old Luis Collazo on Saturday at The Armory in Minneapolis on Fox.

“I just have to win and keep winning,” said Stanionis, who is based in Oxnard, Calif. “I want to get to the world title shot. Lithuania has never had a pro world champion and I want to make history. I have great competition on Saturday, and I want to show that I can compete with any of the top guys.

“I think I deserve the title shot if I win on Saturday. I’m ranked high (No. 1) by the WBA and I’m going to be in position to fight the best sooner rather than later.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJf-sbIbDNo

The 26-year-old is coming off his most significant victory, a wide decision over Thomas Dulorme in April.

Stanionis got off to a slow start against his fit, inspired opponent but he kept the pressure on the Puerto Rican veteran to take control of the title eliminator and win convincingly. Still, he wasn’t satisfied.

He said he’ll be sharper on Saturday night.

“I got confidence from my last fight knowing that I can go 12 hard rounds,” he said. “I got tested in that fight against Thomas Dulorme, but I think it was my worst night. I was not at my best. This time I’m 100 percent prepared and ready to go.”

Collazo (39-8, 20 KOs) was at his best more than a decade ago and is coming off a one-sided technical decision loss to Kudratillo Abdukakhorov in October 2019, which was the New Yorker’s most recent fight.

However, he had a nice run in his previous three fights, beating Sammy Vasquez, Bryant Perrella and Samuel Vargas over a two-year period.

He isn’t the fighter who gave a prime Ricky Hatton problems in a losing cause in 2006 but he can still fight a little.

“This is going to be my last fight on Saturday night,” Collazo said. “The sport is overwhelming in many ways and sometimes it’s hard to enjoy it. Even saying that, I’m bringing everything I’ve got on Saturday. I’m going to leave my mark once again.

“Right now the only thing he has on me is age. Age doesn’t matter though, when you fight and stay in the gym like I do. That’s what I do for a living. I’ve been consistent and there’s no excuses coming into this fight.”

Stanionis is taking nothing for granted.

“Collazo has faced the top guys and he likes to fight fire with fire like I do,” he said. “I am prepared for an action-packed fight.”

[lawrence-related id=22222]

Good, bad, worse: Jaron Ennis dazzling, gutsy Joe Smith Jr. fortunate

Good, bad, worse: Jaron Ennis was dazzling and gutsy Joe Smith Jr. was fortunate on separate cards Saturday.

A critical look at the past week in boxing

GOOD

No one is surprised that Jaron Ennis defeated Sergey Lipinets on Saturday night in Uncasville, Conn. It was the way he did it that left us agog.

Ennis needed less than half a fight to beat up and break down a good, durable opponent before finishing the job with a brutal right-left combination in Round 6, the Philadelphian’s 17th consecutive knockout in completed fights.

“Boots” obviously is a gifted, polished technician. He frustrated Lipinets with his long jab and quick feet early in the fight — an example of his ability — before lowering the boom soon afterward. He’s an excellent boxer.

That alone isn’t what makes him special, though. It’s the combination of his skill set and punching power that makes the 23-year-old a candidate to become a superstar one day.

Ennis’ punches destroyed a man who went the distance with Mikey Garcia and had been down only once before in his professional career. Lipinets’ bruised, swollen face was a testament to the impact of Ennis’ punching power.

And he’s remarkably accurate given that impact: He connected on 52.9% of his power shots, an unusually high number.

Who else in boxing can do what he Ennis does? Who has that blend of boxing skills, natural gifts (speed, reflexes, athleticism) and debilitating power?

I’m not sure anyone does. Maybe Gervonta Davis? Terence Crawford? Bud has stopped his last eight opponents. Canelo Alvarez? Nah. He doesn’t have the natural gifts of Ennis, as great as the Mexican is.

It’s too early to say that Ennis is in the class of boxing’s best. The dominating victory over Lipinets was a nice step for him but he’s just beginning to build an impressive resume, which is required to reach the pinnacle of the sport.

I’m comfortable saying this, though: He has better tools than anyone else in boxing. And I think he will prove it over time. I predict he’ll end up No. 1 in the world pound for pound.

[lawrence-related id=19311]

***

BAD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kC5avCdOXdQ

Everyone is happy for Joe Smith Jr., a hard-working, blue-collar guy from Long Island, N.Y., who defeated Maxim Vlasov by a majority decision to win the vacant WBO light heavyweight title on Saturday in Tulsa, Okla.

Everyone must also acknowledge that he was fortunate to emerge victorious.

Vlasov, a clever veteran with an awkward style, outworked Smith and stayed in his face for most of the fight, which made it difficult for the big puncher to get extension on his power shots. Smith did land some and rallied down the stretch. However, in the eyes of many, the Russian did enough for the majority of the fight to earn the nod.

Boxing Junkie scored it 115-113, seven rounds to five for Vlasov. And 116-112 in his favor also would’ve been reasonable.

Alas, the official judges didn’t see it that way. David Sutherland scored it a 114-114 draw while Gerald Ritter and Pat Russell had it 115-112 and 115-113 in Smith’s favor, which gave him the coveted championship.

Smith said afterward that he deserved the decision because he landed the bigger shots. Meanwhile, Vlasov said he was in control throughout the fight and deserved to go home with the belt. He presumably felt he was the victim of a home-country decision.

“This was my opportunity to show the world I was a world champion. … I did that, and Joe Smith knows I did that,” Vlasov said.

Smith deserves credit. He fought his heart out from beginning to end in spite of a bad cut to realize his dream and set up an even bigger fight. The problem is that Vlasov might’ve deserved the decision.

[lawrence-related id=19315]

***

WORSE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6pIbW53C2w

Smith appears to be on a collision course with Artur Beterbiev in a title-unification fight before the end of the year, although nothing has been settled.

And that’s clearly the fight Smith wants. He dreams of holding more than one belt simultaneously, as many of the top fighters do. I admire his confidence and the fact he’s thinking big.

I also fear for him if he ends up tangling with the beast-like Russian.

Smith’s limitations were on full display against Vlasov, just as they were when he lost a wide decision against titleholder Dmitry Bivol. He has courage, he can crack but he’s crude boxer, which could set him up for disaster against Beterbiev.

The two-time Olympian is a well-schooled, experienced boxer who has stopped all 16 of his opponents, evidence of the damage his punches do. He probably doesn’t have one-punch knockout power like Smith. He merely chops you down like an ill-fated tree.

Of course, Smith has a puncher’s chance because of his power but it’s a small chance. A more likely scenario is that Beterbiev pulverizes him for seven or eight rounds, at which time a sympathetic soul will step in and end the slaughter.

Again, if Smith wants Beterbiev, he has earned the right to face him. I just think it could end up being hard to watch.

***

RABBIT PUNCHES

Eimantas Stanionis (13-0, 9 KOs) turned in a nice performance against an inspired Thomas Dulorme (25-5-1, 16 KOs) on the Ennis-Lipinets fight, winning a unanimous decision. Dulorme, under the tutelage of trainer Ismael Salas, boxed beautifully but the relentless Lithuanian ultimately wore him down to take control of the fight. Stanionis passed an important test. Dulorme did, too. I think the Puerto Rican demonstrated that he can still fight at an elite level. I hope he gets more opportunities. … Junior bantamweight titleholder Jerwin Ancajas (33-1-2, 22 KOs) and Jonathan Rodriguez (22-2, 16 KOs) gave fans an entertaining back-and-forth battle on the Ennis-Lipinets card. Ancajas retained his title for a ninth time by winning a unanimous decision but Rodriguez was also a winner. The relatively unknown Mexican, who had never fought outside his country, announced with his performance that he is a top-tier 115-pounder. Ancajas wants to fight the likes of Juan Francisco Estrada and Roman Gonzalez. Rodriguez might be ready for them, too. … Conor Benn (18-0, 12 KOs) looked like a legitimate title contender against Samuel Vargas (31-7-2, 14 KOs) on Saturday in London, putting a solid opponent away in one round. That was quicker than Errol Spence Jr., Danny Garcia and Vergil Ortiz were able to do it. He called for a true test afterward, mentioning Amir Khan among others. I hope he gets that kind of fight. And I won’t be surprised if he succeeds.

[lawrence-related id=19306,19303]

Good, bad, worse: Jaron Ennis dazzling, gutsy Joe Smith Jr. fortunate

Good, bad, worse: Jaron Ennis was dazzling and gutsy Joe Smith Jr. was fortunate on separate cards Saturday.

A critical look at the past week in boxing

GOOD

No one is surprised that Jaron Ennis defeated Sergey Lipinets on Saturday night in Uncasville, Conn. It was the way he did it that left us agog.

Ennis needed less than half a fight to beat up and break down a good, durable opponent before finishing the job with a brutal right-left combination in Round 6, the Philadelphian’s 17th consecutive knockout in completed fights.

“Boots” obviously is a gifted, polished technician. He frustrated Lipinets with his long jab and quick feet early in the fight — an example of his ability — before lowering the boom soon afterward. He’s an excellent boxer.

That alone isn’t what makes him special, though. It’s the combination of his skill set and punching power that makes the 23-year-old a candidate to become a superstar one day.

Ennis’ punches destroyed a man who went the distance with Mikey Garcia and had been down only once before in his professional career. Lipinets’ bruised, swollen face was a testament to the impact of Ennis’ punching power.

And he’s remarkably accurate given that impact: He connected on 52.9% of his power shots, an unusually high number.

Who else in boxing can do what he Ennis does? Who has that blend of boxing skills, natural gifts (speed, reflexes, athleticism) and debilitating power?

I’m not sure anyone does. Maybe Gervonta Davis? Terence Crawford? Bud has stopped his last eight opponents. Canelo Alvarez? Nah. He doesn’t have the natural gifts of Ennis, as great as the Mexican is.

It’s too early to say that Ennis is in the class of boxing’s best. The dominating victory over Lipinets was a nice step for him but he’s just beginning to build an impressive resume, which is required to reach the pinnacle of the sport.

I’m comfortable saying this, though: He has better tools than anyone else in boxing. And I think he will prove it over time. I predict he’ll end up No. 1 in the world pound for pound.

[lawrence-related id=19311]

***

BAD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kC5avCdOXdQ

Everyone is happy for Joe Smith Jr., a hard-working, blue-collar guy from Long Island, N.Y., who defeated Maxim Vlasov by a majority decision to win the vacant WBO light heavyweight title on Saturday in Tulsa, Okla.

Everyone must also acknowledge that he was fortunate to emerge victorious.

Vlasov, a clever veteran with an awkward style, outworked Smith and stayed in his face for most of the fight, which made it difficult for the big puncher to get extension on his power shots. Smith did land some and rallied down the stretch. However, in the eyes of many, the Russian did enough for the majority of the fight to earn the nod.

Boxing Junkie scored it 115-113, seven rounds to five for Vlasov. And 116-112 in his favor also would’ve been reasonable.

Alas, the official judges didn’t see it that way. David Sutherland scored it a 114-114 draw while Gerald Ritter and Pat Russell had it 115-112 and 115-113 in Smith’s favor, which gave him the coveted championship.

Smith said afterward that he deserved the decision because he landed the bigger shots. Meanwhile, Vlasov said he was in control throughout the fight and deserved to go home with the belt. He presumably felt he was the victim of a home-country decision.

“This was my opportunity to show the world I was a world champion. … I did that, and Joe Smith knows I did that,” Vlasov said.

Smith deserves credit. He fought his heart out from beginning to end in spite of a bad cut to realize his dream and set up an even bigger fight. The problem is that Vlasov might’ve deserved the decision.

[lawrence-related id=19315]

***

WORSE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6pIbW53C2w

Smith appears to be on a collision course with Artur Beterbiev in a title-unification fight before the end of the year, although nothing has been settled.

And that’s clearly the fight Smith wants. He dreams of holding more than one belt simultaneously, as many of the top fighters do. I admire his confidence and the fact he’s thinking big.

I also fear for him if he ends up tangling with the beast-like Russian.

Smith’s limitations were on full display against Vlasov, just as they were when he lost a wide decision against titleholder Dmitry Bivol. He has courage, he can crack but he’s crude boxer, which could set him up for disaster against Beterbiev.

The two-time Olympian is a well-schooled, experienced boxer who has stopped all 16 of his opponents, evidence of the damage his punches do. He probably doesn’t have one-punch knockout power like Smith. He merely chops you down like an ill-fated tree.

Of course, Smith has a puncher’s chance because of his power but it’s a small chance. A more likely scenario is that Beterbiev pulverizes him for seven or eight rounds, at which time a sympathetic soul will step in and end the slaughter.

Again, if Smith wants Beterbiev, he has earned the right to face him. I just think it could end up being hard to watch.

***

RABBIT PUNCHES

Eimantas Stanionis (13-0, 9 KOs) turned in a nice performance against an inspired Thomas Dulorme (25-5-1, 16 KOs) on the Ennis-Lipinets fight, winning a unanimous decision. Dulorme, under the tutelage of trainer Ismael Salas, boxed beautifully but the relentless Lithuanian ultimately wore him down to take control of the fight. Stanionis passed an important test. Dulorme did, too. I think the Puerto Rican demonstrated that he can still fight at an elite level. I hope he gets more opportunities. … Junior bantamweight titleholder Jerwin Ancajas (33-1-2, 22 KOs) and Jonathan Rodriguez (22-2, 16 KOs) gave fans an entertaining back-and-forth battle on the Ennis-Lipinets card. Ancajas retained his title for a ninth time by winning a unanimous decision but Rodriguez was also a winner. The relatively unknown Mexican, who had never fought outside his country, announced with his performance that he is a top-tier 115-pounder. Ancajas wants to fight the likes of Juan Francisco Estrada and Roman Gonzalez. Rodriguez might be ready for them, too. … Conor Benn (18-0, 12 KOs) looked like a legitimate title contender against Samuel Vargas (31-7-2, 14 KOs) on Saturday in London, putting a solid opponent away in one round. That was quicker than Errol Spence Jr., Danny Garcia and Vergil Ortiz were able to do it. He called for a true test afterward, mentioning Amir Khan among others. I hope he gets that kind of fight. And I won’t be surprised if he succeeds.

[lawrence-related id=19306,19303]

Jaron Ennis blasts out overmatched Sergey Lipinets in Round 6

Welterweight contender Jaron Ennis knocked out overmatched Sergey Lipinets in Round 6 on Saturday in Uncasville, Conn.

Jaron Ennis turned a good, durable fighter into his personal pinata on Saturday.

The welterweight contender battered Sergey Lipinets for most of five-plus rounds before a right-left combination put the former 140-pound titleholder down and out in Round 6 in Uncasville, Conn.

If that was a test – which is how it was described beforehand – what’s better than an A+?

Ennis (27-0, 25 KOs) has now stopped 17 consecutive opponents, not counting a no-contest in his previous fight.

“Most definitely I feel like I graduated. Like I said before, it’s on [to] bigger and better fights now,” Ennis said in the ring afterward.

“Boots” opened the fight by showing off his boxing prowess, jabbing, following with power shots and moving out of range before the shorter, slower Lipinets could get near him.

But it didn’t take long for Ennis to test the waters inside, as he typically does. That allowed tLipinets to land punches here and there but it was the bigger, longer man who landed the meaningful blows.

Ennis started connecting on mind-numbing shots in Round 3 and didn’t let up for any length of time. Lipinets suffered a knockdown in Round 4, although it appeared to be the result of a trip and not one of Ennis’ big shots.

The real knockdown would come in the fifth. With about 50 seconds left in the round, Ennis hurt Lipinets with a right hook and followed with a straight left between the guard that knocked Lipinets onto his back.

Referee Arthur Mercante Jr. didn’t bother to count. It was clear to him and everyone watching that the Kazakhstani – his face bruised and swollen — had taken enough punishment from a huge puncher. The official end came at 2:11 of Round 6.

Ennis landed 53% of his power shots, according to CompuBox. And all of them, it seemed, did damage.

“That’s just what we work on in the gym,” he said, “a lot of power shots, a lot of speed, having fun doing my thing. And that’s what I did.”

He went on: “I knew I hurt him but I knew he was going to be durable and stuff like that. So I was like, ‘Take my time, coast it out, keep touching, keep touching, and I knew eventually I’d break him down.”

So what are the bigger and better fights?

Ennis wants to face one of the top fighters in a deep division. And no one is excluded, not Errol Spence Jr., not Terence Crawford, not Manny Pacquiao, no one. The question is: Will any of the above want to fight him?

He was asked whether it might be difficult to get a title fight after the latest in a series of dominating performances.

“No … well, maybe,” he said with a laugh. “Maybe, maybe. Who knows? One of them might want to fight me. We’ll see. I definitely think I’m ready for a Top 5, Top 3 guy. …

“I think [Yordenis Ugas] is going to fight Spence, something like that is coming up. Hopefully, I can get the winner of that. That would be a great fight for me.”

But would it be a great fight for Spence or Ugas?

[lawrence-related id=19306,19303]

Jaron Ennis blasts out overmatched Sergey Lipinets in Round 6

Welterweight contender Jaron Ennis knocked out overmatched Sergey Lipinets in Round 6 on Saturday in Uncasville, Conn.

Jaron Ennis turned a good, durable fighter into his personal pinata on Saturday.

The welterweight contender battered Sergey Lipinets for most of five-plus rounds before a right-left combination put the former 140-pound titleholder down and out in Round 6 in Uncasville, Conn.

If that was a test – which is how it was described beforehand – what’s better than an A+?

Ennis (27-0, 25 KOs) has now stopped 17 consecutive opponents, not counting a no-contest in his previous fight.

“Most definitely I feel like I graduated. Like I said before, it’s on [to] bigger and better fights now,” Ennis said in the ring afterward.

“Boots” opened the fight by showing off his boxing prowess, jabbing, following with power shots and moving out of range before the shorter, slower Lipinets could get near him.

But it didn’t take long for Ennis to test the waters inside, as he typically does. That allowed tLipinets to land punches here and there but it was the bigger, longer man who landed the meaningful blows.

Ennis started connecting on mind-numbing shots in Round 3 and didn’t let up for any length of time. Lipinets suffered a knockdown in Round 4, although it appeared to be the result of a trip and not one of Ennis’ big shots.

The real knockdown would come in the fifth. With about 50 seconds left in the round, Ennis hurt Lipinets with a right hook and followed with a straight left between the guard that knocked Lipinets onto his back.

Referee Arthur Mercante Jr. didn’t bother to count. It was clear to him and everyone watching that the Kazakhstani – his face bruised and swollen — had taken enough punishment from a huge puncher. The official end came at 2:11 of Round 6.

Ennis landed 53% of his power shots, according to CompuBox. And all of them, it seemed, did damage.

“That’s just what we work on in the gym,” he said, “a lot of power shots, a lot of speed, having fun doing my thing. And that’s what I did.”

He went on: “I knew I hurt him but I knew he was going to be durable and stuff like that. So I was like, ‘Take my time, coast it out, keep touching, keep touching, and I knew eventually I’d break him down.”

So what are the bigger and better fights?

Ennis wants to face one of the top fighters in a deep division. And no one is excluded, not Errol Spence Jr., not Terence Crawford, not Manny Pacquiao, no one. The question is: Will any of the above want to fight him?

He was asked whether it might be difficult to get a title fight after the latest in a series of dominating performances.

“No … well, maybe,” he said with a laugh. “Maybe, maybe. Who knows? One of them might want to fight me. We’ll see. I definitely think I’m ready for a Top 5, Top 3 guy. …

“I think [Yordenis Ugas] is going to fight Spence, something like that is coming up. Hopefully, I can get the winner of that. That would be a great fight for me.”

But would it be a great fight for Spence or Ugas?

[lawrence-related id=19306,19303]

Eimantas Stanionis walks down Thomas Dulorme, wins clear decision

Eimantas Stanionis rallied in the second half of the fight to defeat Thomas Dulorme on the Jaron Ennis-Sergey Lipinets card on Saturday.

Eimantas Stanionis relied on perseverance as anything else to remain unbeaten on the Jaron Ennis-Sergey Lipinets card Saturday.

The Lithuanian got off to a slow start against an inspired Thomas Dulorme but kept the pressure on the Puerto Rican to win a unanimous decision in the welterweight title eliminator in Uncasville, Conn.

The scores were 117-111, 116-112 and 115-113. Boxing Junkie scored it 115-113 for Stanionis.

Dulorme (25-5-1, 16 KOs) was at his best in the fight, courtesy of new trainer Ismael Salas, whose strategy was to have his protege stick and move. And he did it beautifully much of the fight, forcing Stanionis (13-0, 9 KOs) to chase him down.

The problem for Dulorme is that he began to tire by mid-fight, at which time Stanionis was picking up steam. Stanionis began to cut off the ring and land punishing shots, which forced Dulorme to hold at times.

Dulorme stayed with the game plan until the final bell; he simply couldn’t do it as effectively down the stretch. That allowed Stanionis to pull away on the scorecards.

Stanionis said afterward that he believes he belongs in the Top 10 in a deep division but acknowledged that he still has a lot to learn after only 13 professional fights.

Dulorme might argue that Stanionis has learned quite a bit already.

Eimantas Stanionis walks down Thomas Dulorme, wins clear decision

Eimantas Stanionis rallied in the second half of the fight to defeat Thomas Dulorme on the Jaron Ennis-Sergey Lipinets card on Saturday.

Eimantas Stanionis relied on perseverance as anything else to remain unbeaten on the Jaron Ennis-Sergey Lipinets card Saturday.

The Lithuanian got off to a slow start against an inspired Thomas Dulorme but kept the pressure on the Puerto Rican to win a unanimous decision in the welterweight title eliminator in Uncasville, Conn.

The scores were 117-111, 116-112 and 115-113. Boxing Junkie scored it 115-113 for Stanionis.

Dulorme (25-5-1, 16 KOs) was at his best in the fight, courtesy of new trainer Ismael Salas, whose strategy was to have his protege stick and move. And he did it beautifully much of the fight, forcing Stanionis (13-0, 9 KOs) to chase him down.

The problem for Dulorme is that he began to tire by mid-fight, at which time Stanionis was picking up steam. Stanionis began to cut off the ring and land punishing shots, which forced Dulorme to hold at times.

Dulorme stayed with the game plan until the final bell; he simply couldn’t do it as effectively down the stretch. That allowed Stanionis to pull away on the scorecards.

Stanionis said afterward that he believes he belongs in the Top 10 in a deep division but acknowledged that he still has a lot to learn after only 13 professional fights.

Dulorme might argue that Stanionis has learned quite a bit already.

Jerwin Ancajas outpoints Jonathan Rodriguez in war

Jerwin Ancajas outpoints Jonathan Rodriguez in war on Jaron Ennis-Sergey Lipinets card Saturday.

Jerwin Ancajas held onto his junior bantamweight title but had to work harder than at any time in his career.

Ancajas, making his ninth defense, landed more big punches than Jonathan Rodriguez and put the challenger down to win a unanimous decision on the Jaron Ennis-Sergey Lipinets on Saturday in Uncasville, Conn.

However, Rodriguez, a relative unknown, made the case in defeat that he’s an elite 115-pounder but pushing Ancajas to the limit.

Ancajas (33-1-2, 22 KOs) got the better Rodriguez (22-2, 16 KOs) when he fought behind his jab and used his superior boxing skills, which he did at times.

However, the Filipino chose to stand toe-to-toe — or was forced to do so — much of fight, which made for an exciting battle and allowed Rodriguez to get in his licks.

The fight was essentially a back-and-forth war, with both boxers landing hard shots to both the head body. Many of the rounds were close for that reason.

Nothing had changed much by the middle of Round 8. Then a flurry of punishing blows from Ancajas forced Rodriguez to take a knee, which made it a 10-8 round.

The referee and Rodriguez’s cornermen asked him after the round whether he wanted to continue. He answered by getting the better of the champion from Round 9 to 12.

In the end, the knockdown didn’t matter. Ancajas, who hasn’t lost since 2012, won by scores of 117-110, 116-111 and 115-112. Boxing Junkie scored it 116-112, eight rounds to four.

Ancajas said he hoped the fight would lead to showdowns with the biggest stars in the division, Juan Francisco Estrada, Roman Gonzalez and Srisaket Sor Rungvisai.

The victory puts him in a position to get those opportunties.

Jerwin Ancajas outpoints Jonathan Rodriguez in war

Jerwin Ancajas outpoints Jonathan Rodriguez in war on Jaron Ennis-Sergey Lipinets card Saturday.

Jerwin Ancajas held onto his junior bantamweight title but had to work harder than at any time in his career.

Ancajas, making his ninth defense, landed more big punches than Jonathan Rodriguez and put the challenger down to win a unanimous decision on the Jaron Ennis-Sergey Lipinets on Saturday in Uncasville, Conn.

However, Rodriguez, a relative unknown, made the case in defeat that he’s an elite 115-pounder but pushing Ancajas to the limit.

Ancajas (33-1-2, 22 KOs) got the better Rodriguez (22-2, 16 KOs) when he fought behind his jab and used his superior boxing skills, which he did at times.

However, the Filipino chose to stand toe-to-toe — or was forced to do so — much of fight, which made for an exciting battle and allowed Rodriguez to get in his licks.

The fight was essentially a back-and-forth war, with both boxers landing hard shots to both the head body. Many of the rounds were close for that reason.

Nothing had changed much by the middle of Round 8. Then a flurry of punishing blows from Ancajas forced Rodriguez to take a knee, which made it a 10-8 round.

The referee and Rodriguez’s cornermen asked him after the round whether he wanted to continue. He answered by getting the better of the champion from Round 9 to 12.

In the end, the knockdown didn’t matter. Ancajas, who hasn’t lost since 2012, won by scores of 117-110, 116-111 and 115-112. Boxing Junkie scored it 116-112, eight rounds to four.

Ancajas said he hoped the fight would lead to showdowns with the biggest stars in the division, Juan Francisco Estrada, Roman Gonzalez and Srisaket Sor Rungvisai.

The victory puts him in a position to get those opportunties.