A Mario Barrios vs Eimantas Stanionis Unification In 2024?
Newly elevated WBC welterweight champion Mario “El Azteca” Barrios (29-2, 18KO) and WBA Regular champion Eimantas Stanionis (15-0, 9K0) may be on a collision course for a major unification.
The boxing news cycle buzzed after the WBC placed Terence Crawford as champion-in-recess. In addition, the organization elevated El Azteca from interim titlist to full champion status. This move has opened the door for an opportunity that could put the wheels in motion for a unification contest.
On August 3, Crawford will face the WBA junior middleweight champion Israil Madrimov. If he wins the WBA junior middleweight title, he may vacate the belt at welterweight.
A UNIFICATION MAKES SENSE
The next logical move would be to elevate Stanionis, allowing the push for a huge unification to begin. With both fighters competing under the Premier Boxing Champions banner, it would be an easy fight to make.
Since losing to Keith Thurman in 2022, Barrios has been on a three-fight win streak. In his last tour of duty, the Texan scored a dominating unanimous decision win over Fabian Madiana. Stanionis remained undefeated after successfully defending the title over amateur standout Gabriel Maestre. After scoring the lopsided unanimous decision win, the Lithuanian was instantly thrust into the conversation of being a possible opponent for Crawford.
Both champions were connected to a possible unification with IBF champion Jaron Ennis. Yet, his signing with Matchroom Boxing has made a fight with either of them out of reach. The groundwork for making the fight has always been laid. They both competed on the undercard of undisputed super middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez versus Jaime Munguia.
As the division slowly starts to open, this is a fight that could put the winner atop the division.
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