EIMANTAS Stanionis will defend his WBA welterweight world title in opposition to necessary challenger Shakhram Giyasov, with the precise date but to be determined. After the sanctioning physique ordered the pair to battle, purse bids have been cancelled because the respective events managed to thrash out a deal.
Stanionis had been vocal a couple of battle with Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis after the Philadelphian laboured in his current rematch with Karen Chukhadzhian. Since that battle, Ennis has steered that he may transfer up in weight and as an alternative problem Vergil Ortiz Jr at `154 kilos.
This bout, in the meantime, will probably be a rematch of kinds, as they met as amateurs within the 2016 Olympic Video games. Representing Uzbekistan, Giyasov ran out a 3-0 winner in Rio and finally gained the silver medal.
Curiously, Stanionis’ earlier bout was additionally with a former novice rival, as he outpointed Gabriel Maestre over 12 rounds. Again in 2015, he additionally outpointed Maestre over three rounds at a match in Doha.
It’s truthful to say that issues have moved on since then, and Stanionis, 30, and Giyasov, 31, are each now seasoned professionals. Stanionis has loved extra success, though his win over Maestre was his first outing in over two years. His on-again, off-again battle with Vergil Ortiz Jr. lastly settled at off-again, and Vergil moved up.
Giyasov, 16-0 (9 KOs), is now based mostly in Brooklyn and promoted by Matchroom. A few eliminator wins have catapulted him into this place and he will probably be desirous to repeat the type of 2016, topple Stanionis, 15-0 (9 KOs), and add an expert world title to his trophy cupboard.