Eimantas Stanionis has never felt as disrespected as he does now.

He holds an undefeated record, a fist full of power, and a shoulder draped in welterweight gold. Yet, even with those plusses, few are giving him much of a chance against Jaron Ennis.

On April 12th, in the headliner of a card being broadcast by DAZN, the two will throw down in Atlantic City but their unification is more of a formality. Ennis, according to many, is bigger, stronger, faster, and more skilled. Stanionis though, isn’t buying any of it. But even if it were true, the confidence he has in himself wouldn’t be shaken in the slightest.

“I just believe in myself,” said Stanionis to FightHype.com.

Over the years, the division’s WBA belt holder went from being an active fighter to perpetually sidelined. In 2022, he made just one appearance. In 2023, things went from bad to worse as he didn’t fight at all. His career did seemingly get back on track last year, as he scored a lopsided victory over Gabriel Maestre but he craved more activity.

Ennis, on the other hand, suffered some of the same fate. For whatever reason, the current IBF belt holder and Ring No. 1 ranked welter struggled to land big-time fights. Still, despite his issues, he looked unbeatable in wins over Karen Chukhadzhian and David Avanesyan.

Stanionis (15-0, 9 KOs) is a realest. He knows that Ennis is good, great even but he isn’t unnerved heading into their showdown. Facing someone as talented as Ennis will bring its difficulties but Stanionis can benefit from swapping fists with him.

Boxing is a sport where the very will of a person is tested like never before. So, whether he wins or loses, by the time the dust settles on their unification, Stanionis will know his placement in the 147-pound pecking order.

“I want to see where I stand.”