This is the other half of that equation that yielded the Errol Spence, Jr. vs. Yordenis Ugás Hernández welterweight unification coming up in Q1. Stanionis was the mandatory to challenge Ugás for the WBA super world championship, and took a step-aside payment to instead face Butaev for the "regular" belt. Tale of the tape: Butaev 5′10½″ with 72" reach, 14-0-0-1 (11) Stanionis 5'8" with 68" reach, 13-0-0-1 (9)
Burning questions!!!! How is Egidijus Kavaliauskas going to feel, after he busted his ass for years macheteing his way through a slew of C and B level welters and only ever succumbing to a pair of A's, watching some kid from back home with half as much quality and quantity in his record just waltz into a title fight? And would he be then salty if Stanionis wins (and beats him to becoming Lithuania's first world titlist), or would national pride trump personal glory? Which of Butaev's nicknames do we like better?? I'm not sure why they even introduced a new one, the original suited him.
Always felt that these two needed to fight each other before going up against Ugas or whoever holding the full title. Going with Butaev.
1a. do we think Stanionis would beat Kavaliauskas h2h? 2a. shouldn't Butaev have to square off with Mercito Gesta for the rights to using "No Mercy" since the Filipino had it first? That would be a fun if short and brutal fight.
It's pretty obvious at this point Eimantas' power was overrated, when you struggle to even hurt and can't drop Dulorme, and it takes you 9 rounds to dispatch a glass jaw like DeLoach. Whereas Butaev bludgeoned an iron chinned tough as nails guy like Jamal James into submission. Butaev is made of iron, seems to have an excellent chin, packs more of a punch, and has an all around more complex skillset. So my prediction is.... after several competitive rounds, Butaev eventually takes over beats Stanionis senseless and stops him.
This is sad, not because Stanionis & Butaev are fighting, props to these young prime fighters for doing so...it's because Ennis refuses to fight a young fighter like himself in their prime. We all know that Ennis will be these old overmatched fighters but what about a young prime fighter like himself....pathetic.
at the suggestion that Ennis is ducking Butaev or Stanionis. Showtime even noted they couldn't get anyone to fight Ennis. He would gladly administer a highlight reel beating to either one of those guys.
Based on what? Boots has done nothing and doesn't seem in a hurry to prove himself against anyone with a pulse. The guy has almost 30 fights already and has fought nobody
I agree the clock is ticking and he needs to face a real opponent, but the 30 fights are deceptive. He's only 24. Must have been very good at selling tickets or something.
I feel pretty confident that Ennis beats both Stanionis and Butaev, neither of whom is especially dynamic. I think Butaev's rugged downhill style will likely force some early adjustments, but I think Ennis would land with increasing regularity as the fight progressed. Interestingly, I am not really confident of anyone outcome in the But-Stan fight.
Who have either of them beat to make you think Ennis wouldn't whoop their arses? Stanionis went 12 hard rounds with Dulorme. Butaev beat the poor mans Paul Williams. Come on man.
