A 30-year-old Lithuanian welterweight Eimantas Stanioni, is bracing for one of the most undeniably momentous weeks of his life. While preparing to face Jaron “Boots” Ennis at Boardwalk Hall for the WBA and IBF welterweight titles on Saturday, Stanionis is also facing the reality that he may miss the birth of his first child.
His wife, Emily, is due to give birth to their daughter just two days before his career-defining bout. The two have been together for 13 years and married for under one, and until now, Emily has rarely missed one of his professional fights. Despite that devotion, the demands of a training camp at Freddie Roach’s famed Wild Card Boxing Club in Los Angeles kept them living apart during the most taxing stage of her pregnancy.
Make the days count: Watch
Stanionis says the delayed due date and the chance it might coincide exactly with his fight date has been met with a mixture of acceptance and sacrifice. He calls it “opportunities and sacrifices,” knowing that if he can defeat Ennis it could transform the lives of his family. The boxer’s daughter’s name remains secret but will be visible on the gloves he wears into the ring, symbolizing the critical balance between his personal life and professional ambitions.
Training thousands of miles away, Stanionis admits he is relieved not to worry his wife with constant reassurance about the birth process, praising her toughness and independent spirit. He recalls that it is not the first time she has missed an opportunity to be at his side, as travel restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic also forced her to stay away from some of his fights. Yet this time, the absence carries extra weight, as he hopes to return home immediately to meet his daughter if he prevails over Ennis.
It is clear that for the Lithuanian, victory on Saturday would not only mark a career pinnacle but might also coincide with the joy of greeting his newborn. That plan, he says, would make these days the best of his life.
Will he succeed? We will get to know soon.
Prepare for Stanionis vs. Boots event here.
Image Credit: PBC