Saturday night’s welterweight unification bout between unbeaten champions Jaron “Boots” Ennis [IBF] and Eimantas Stanionis [WBA] should fulfill expectations of a throwback classic staged on DAZN in gritty Atlantic City, New Jersey.

“I expect a very competitive fight, a lot closer than what some people think,” said 2024 Boxing Writers Association of America trainer of the year Robert Garcia on Wednesday’s episode ofon ProBox TV. “Stanionis will put up a great fight because of his dedication, discipline and desire. Those things could allow him to pull it out.”

The 30-year-old Stanionis 15-0 (9 KOs), of Lithuania, pushed through stubborn negotiations with Philadelphia’s Ennis 33-0 (29 KOs) to insist upon the bout that leaves the winner strongly positioned to pursue the undisputed position against fellow champions Brian Norman Jnr of the WBO and WBC champion Mario Barrios Jnr.

Coming off a defensively flawed showing against repeat challenger Karen Chukhadzhian late last year, Ennis spoke of moving up in weight before backing off talks with unbeaten 154lbs fighter Vergil Ortiz Jnr to instead fight for the unified title.

“[Ennis] is more hit-able. This is a high-contact fight,” analyst Paulie Malignaggi said.

Malignaggi took exception with odds that place Stanoinois as more than a 4/1 underdog.

“The odds are so high, politics may be in play … it does make it fishy in this wacky world of boxing,” Malignaggi said. “Can he get a decision?”

Former 140lbs world champion Chris Algieri said Stanionis’ reputation as “an engine guy, a grinder guy” could pose real problems for Ennis.

“We haven’t seen the best of ‘Boots,” Algieri said.

Trainer Garcia agreed, saying Ennis “got too comfortable fighting at home” and now has the opportunity to establish “he is the guy to dominate the division.”

“The best version of ‘Boots’ wins the fight,” Algieri followed.

That would be a boon to the fighter’s father-trainer “Bozy” Ennis, who has already coached unbeaten lightweight Andy Cruz to a convincing victory in January followed by Philadelphia’s Stephen Fulton capturing the WBC featherweight belt with a decision triumph over Brandon Figueroa.

“This is No. 1 versus No. 2 in the division. These two guys want to fight the best,” Algieri said.