AFTER his management contract expired and a two-year wait to defend his WBA welterweight title, Eimantas Stanionis still dreams of bringing boxing to his hometown of Kaunas, a city of 300,000 people in Lithuania.
Stanionis (15-0, 9 KOs) endured two years after the fight with Vergil Ortiz Jr. and continued to fall. He became the WBA Universal Champion with a split decision victory against Russia's Radzhab Butaev in April 2022.
Former foe Gabriel Maestre took the call for Stanionis to finally defend his booty, earning a unanimous decision on the Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez cs Jaime Munguia undercard this past Cinco de Mayo weekend in May.
The 29-year-old Lithuanian is starting the next phase of his career without a club, with his managerial contract ending with Shelly Finkel.
“I've always wanted to fight in Lithuania, so I'm looking at that a lot right now,” said Stanionis in an exclusive interview with Boxing News. “It is a dream that I will have to fulfill at some point, we will see. The fans deserve my fight in Lithuania because they proved themselves to be true fans. They would wake up at 3 or 4 in the morning to watch my fights in the US. I really owe them.”
Lithuania's population of 2.8 million is very small compared to America's 333.3 million citizens, so bringing any kind of event to the country would be difficult.
Stanionis, the first boxer to win anything in his country in pro boxing, spent his entire career fighting in the USA with trainer Marvin Somodio. A European gold medal followed by a show at the 2016 Olympics secured his professional career across the Atlantic.
“It would be very good because there has never been professional boxing in Lithuania,” explained Stanionis. “There have been a few shows over the years, but nothing really, just the occasional show. There has never been such a thing as a world title fight or someone fighting for a shot at the top, so it would be great if it happened. There are many options, it may not happen in my next fight, but it should happen.
“I have a lot to do right now after a difficult time in my career, so I'm happy. It was difficult to fight at the last minute. I don't live in America, I only practice there, I live in Kaunas. It costs a lot of money to make these fields. I have been training in the US for two years without fighting. I love this game but I couldn't sing for two years.”
Stanionis' profile has exploded in his home country despite being laid off for more than two years. With welterweight champions Mario Barrios (WBC) and Jason Ennis (IBF) likely to take the opportunity to fight in Kaunas, who would?
Believe it or not, the only other Lithuanian boxer is from the same city and fights at 147 kilograms. Can former world title contender Egidijus Kavaliauskas, currently ranked number 4 by the WBC, give the country a night to remember?
“It would be great for Lithuania and the fans would love it,” replied Stanionis with a chuckle. “I don't want to say it because if I say I want to fight him, he might think 'this kid has a cock' or something like that.
“Actually, we come from the same city and we know each other, it would be strange for me to call him. If it happens it happens.
“It's been like he's been going crazy lately. It's hard to go anywhere, every time I go out people shoot me. To be honest with you, I love a quiet life. I have to go see more fans, do sponsorship things, I have to do something. It's very busy in Lithuania these days, it wasn't so busy before I became world champion. I get tired of it.”
The 20,000-capacity Žalgiris Arena, home to the fiercely supported Basketball Club Žalgiris, will be the likely venue for Stanionis' dream return to Kaunas. However, Terence Crawford's move to super-welterweight makes it difficult to predict 147 pounds. With most of the weight class trying to trade Stateside, it is possible that his next fight will be in America.
“I understand this business a little after all these years,” added Stanionis. “I have good people to advise me on the next step, but then I will take control. Crawford has already moved to 154 pounds, Errol Spence is also moving up to 154. The WBA might have me fight someone for the title, no one is too sure.
“The fights between Mario Barrios and Jaron Ennis would be good, they have fights, but things change quickly. Warriors rise, [Isaac] Pitbull Cruz would be a good fighter. Welterweight has always been a good division in boxing, I think it's getting hot again.”
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