ATLANTIC CITY-– Jaron “Boots” Ennis passed his biggest test of his career in flying colors as he scored an entertaining beatdown of Eimanras Stanionis to unify his own IBF and Stanionis’ WBA welterweight titles in front of a big crowd at Boardwalk Hall

The fight began with a great pace as Ennis was able to land quick shots that set up harder combinations. Stanionis was able to keep honest as he was able to get in some good hard jabs and right hands of his own. Ennis was able to box free and work behind his power shots to continuously beat Stanionis to the punch. Stanionis as having a good round five until he ate a big uppercut that turned the round around as it produced a bloody nose from the Lithuanian. In round six, Ennis landed a big combination that was culminated by and uppercut that put Stanionis on the deck. Staniomis seemed to have steadied himself, but when he sat down on the stool, the corner called and end to the fight.

Ennis is now a unified champion with a record fo 34-0 with 30 knockouts. Stanionis of Lithuania is 15-1.

Raymond Ford Decisions Thomas Mattice

Former world champion Raymond Ford won a 10-round unanimous decision over Thomas Mattice in a super featherweight bout.

Ford landed 128 of 610 punches. Mattice was 24 of 126.

Ford, 130 lbs of Canden, NJ won by scores of 100-90 on all cards and is now 17-1-1. Mattice, 129.6lbs of Cleveland is 22-5-1.

Omari Jones Stops Jackson in 1

Omari Jones made it two consecutive first round stoppages as he took care of William Jackson in their welterweight bout.

Jones landed a left hook to the body that put Jackson down for referee David Franciosi’s 10-count at 1:47.

Jones, 149.6 lbs of Orlando, FL is 2-0 with two knockouts. Jackson, 150 lbs of Cincinnati is 13-6-2.

Giyasov Stops Ocampo in 4

WBA number-one ranked welterweight Shakhram Giyasov stopped Franco Ocampo in round four of their 10-round welterweight fight.

At the end of round one, Giyasov buckled Ocampo with a hard left. Giyasov then landed a big flurry that was punctuated by a right that dropped Ocampo. In round four, Giyasov landed a straight right to the body that put Ocampo down and the fight was halted.

Giyasov, 149 lbs of Uzbekistan is 17-0 with 10 knockouts. Ocampo, 153 lbs of Buenos Aries, ARG is 17-3.

Zaquin Moses stopped Alex Pallette in round two of their four-round super featherweight bout.

Moses dropped Pallette with a straight left and the bout was stopped at 2:13.

Moses, 128.8 lbs of Newark, NJ is 3-0 with two knockouts. Pallette, 129.8 lbs of Toa Baja, PR is 1-4.

Tahmir Smails needed just 73 seconds to dispose of Earl Bascome in a scheduled eight-round welterweight bout.

Smalls scored a knockdown and referee Charlie Fitch reached the 10-count at 1:!3.

Smalls, 147.8 lbs of Philadelphia is 14-0 with 10 knockouts. Bascome, 148.6 lbs of Hamilton, BER is 13-2.

Arturo Cardenas scored an eighth and final round stoppage over late replacement Edgar Joe Cortes in a super bantamweight bout.

In round five, Cardenas dropped Cortes with a hard left hook. In round seven, Cardenas planted Cortes on the canvas with a perfect right hand. Cardenas was dominant in the final round as he pounded away on Cortes and dropped him again with a right hand. Referee Charlie Fotch called a halt to the fight just as Cortes hit the deck at 1:30

Cardenas, 122.3 lbs f Mexico is 16-0-1 with 10 knockouts. Cortes, 123.6 lbs of Millville, NJ is 9-8-1.

Cortes stepped for Christian Carto. Carto with drew this week for unspecified reasons.

Francisco Rodriguez remained perfect with a stoppage of Naheem Parrker after round three of their six-round lightweight bout.

Rodriguez, 135 lbs of Atlantic City is now 7-0 with seven knockouts. Parker, 136 lbs of Camden, NJ is 5-2.

Jalil Hackett will face Jose Roman in a rematch for the WBA Continental North America Welterweight title on Saturday March 15 at Caribe Royale in Orlando, live worldwide on DAZN, as further additions to the undercard are made where Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams headlines against Patrice Volny, Edgar Berlanga returns to action and Team USA Olympic medalist Omari Jones makes his professional debut.

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Roman and Hackett met in Puerto Rico in December, where Roman edged Hackett our via a razor-thin split decision to take the title. Roman (14-1 6 KOs) hosted Hackett (9-1 7 KOs) at home in their first meeting and now the Puerto Rican steps through the ropes in America for the fifth time in his career for the rematch, as 21 year old starlet Hackett looks to gain immediate revenge and claim his title back.

“Camp has been amazing for this fight and I’m more ready than ever,” said Roman. “They made a big mistake thinking  I was an ‘average fighter’. I was a multi National Champion that represented Puerto Rico all over the world, and I was only one fight away from being an Olympian in 2016! The first time was not a stroke of luck and on March 15, I will prove I am the better fighter. I look forward to bigger and better opportunities with God’s blessings when I beat him again.”

“On March 15, I not only regain my belt but I reestablish myself as one of the best young boxers in the sport,” said Hackett.

Another title fight added to the card sees Jamaine Ortiz defend his WBA Continental USA Super-Lightweight title against Yomar Alamo. Ortiz (18-2-1 9 KOs) landed the strap at Caribe Royale in November with an impressive fourth round stoppage win over Cristian Mino, his first fight back in action after taking on Teofimo Lopez for the WBO World title in Las Vegas in February. Puerto Rico’s Alamo (22-3-1 13 KOs) continues to test fighters at 140lbs, and will add Ortiz to the CV that features recent battles with IBF king Richardson Hitchins, and the man he beat to win the title, Liam Paro.

“I’m thrilled to be kicking off my 2025 fight journey against Yomar Alamo, who is a dangerous fighter,” said Ortiz. “It’s always an honor to step into the ring, and I couldn’t be more excited to showcase my skills for my fans on DAZN.

“The Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando will be lit on fight night, and I’m ready to bring the heat. This year, I’m focused and hungry for success, and March 15 is just the beginning of what’s to come!”

“This is a great opportunity for my career,” said Alamo. “Ortiz is a great fighter. We’re prepared for whatever he brings. This will be a great victory for me. It’s Magic time!”

Further additions to the card announced today sees Puerto Rican teen talent Carlos De Leon (3-0 2 KOs) fight in the paid ranks for the fourth time over four rounds at Super-Featherweight, and ‘Pretty Boy’ Pedro Valdez (8-0 7 KOs) meet Mauro Maximiliano Godoy (37-10-1 18 KOs) over eight rounds at Welterweight.
 
Those undercard additions add to a big night in the Sunshine State, where Middleweight contender ‘Ammo’ Williams looks to continue his quest to get back into the mix for major battles. Williams (17-1 12 KOs) bounced back with a 12th KO win in the paid ranks in Philadelphia in November after a brave showing against hotly-tipped Briton Hamzah Sheeraz in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in June.

‘Ammo’ is handily ranked at #6 with the WBC, #7 with the WBA and #9 with the IBF, and the Texan southpaw will be looking for an impressive victory to take a big step towards securing more massive fights at 160lbs.

Volny (19-1 13 KOs) will have other ideas though, and the Canadian will be full of confidence as he enters the bout on the back of a KO win over fellow countryman and former World title challenger Steven Butler in June in his Montreal hometown.
 
Jones added a bronze medal from the Paris 2024 games to the silver medal he won at the 2021 World Championships in Belgrade, Serbia, and after a glittering amateur career, the Orlando starlet, who graduated from Valencia College in Orlando with an Associate Degree in General Studies with business focus in December, is excited to be making his pro debut right on his own doorstep, and Italian Alessio Mastronunzio (14-5 4 KOs) will be the first man to test Jones in the pro ring.
 
Berlanga (22-1 17 KOs) is back and the Puerto Rican-New Yorker will be looking to build on his spirited display against pound-for-pound legend Canelo Alvarez as he takes on Jonathan Gonzalez-Ortiz (20-0-1 16 KOs). ‘The Chosen One’ went the distance with the Mexican superstar in Las Vegas in September and the 27 year old will be eager to move into position to get a second shot at World title honors, and can reclaim the WBO NABO Super-Middleweight title he previously held over ten rounds against his fellow Puerto Rican.

Omari Jones will take on Alessio Mastronunzio in his professional debut at Caribe Royale in Orlando on Saturday March 15, live worldwide on DAZN.

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Jones announced that he was turning pro with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom in January, and the Team USA Olympic bronze medal man will step through the ropes for the first time right on his doorstep in Orlando.

Mastronunzio (14-5 4 KOs) brings a wealth of experience to test the debutant, with the 30 year old Italian stepping through the ropes for the 20th time in the paid ranks. The opening bell will be the 114th round in the pro game for the Rome man as Jones touches gloves for his first three-minute session out of the vest, and the 22 year old is champing at the bit to get his career underway on March 15 in front of his people.

“My hometown supported me through the Olympics and even before it as well,” said Jones, who meets Mastronunzio over six rounds a few pounds north of the Welterweight limit. “The kids at my gym look up to me and want to follow the same route that I am on. To be an inspiration to them is amazing. After I qualified for the Olympics, the first thing I thought about was how this is for the kids in Orlando to let them know they could do this too.
 
“My dream is to fight the best-of-the-best and right now is just the beginning of my career. The most important part is to be active and stay in the gym which I’m always doing, so I’m ready for the call for a World title when that comes.
 
“I feel I could be America’s next boxing superstar. It’s something I’ve worked for my whole life; it’s the same ring I’ve been fighting in for the past 14 years just in a different arena. I’m ready for the professional game and ready to step in against the big boys.”
 
Jones’ clash with Mastronunzio is part of a big night in the Sunshine State where Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams tops the card in his quest to get back into title contention against Patrice Volny over 12 rounds at Middleweight.
 
Williams (17-1 12 KOs) bounced back with a 12th KO win in the paid ranks in Philadelphia in November after a brave showing against hotly-tipped Briton Hamzah Sheeraz in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in June.

‘Ammo’ is handily ranked at #6 with the WBC, #7 with the WBA and #9 with the IBF, and the Texan southpaw will be looking for an impressive victory to take a big step towards securing more massive fights at 160lbs.

Volny (19-1 13 KOs) will have other ideas though, and the Canadian will be full of confidence as he enters the bout on the back of a KO win over fellow countryman and former World title challenger Steven Butler in June in his Montreal hometown.

Further additions to the undercard will be announced soon.

LAS VEGAS – January 24, 2025 – Team USA Olympic Medalist Omari Jones, who earlier this week was announced he signed a promotional deal with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing, was introduced this afternoon in Las Vegas prior to the Diego Pacheco vs. Steven Nelson weigh-in.

Jones will make his professional debut in his Orlando hometown at Caribe Royale on Saturday, March 15, live worldwide on DAZN – as Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams returns to action and takes on Canadian Patrice Volny.

Jones won bronze at the Paris Games this past summer in the Welterweight division as the sole boxing medalist for the U.S., and now the outstanding Orlando talent will look to emulate his amateur success in the paid ranks. The 22-year-old added his Olympic prize to the silver medal he won at the 2021 World Championships in Belgrade, Serbia.

This is what Hearn and Jones said during the introductory press conference.

EDDIE HEARN

“I watched Omari in the Olympics and I knew he had superstar potential – not just the way he fought in the ring, but the way he carried himself. When I slid into his DM’s in Paris, straight away we had a lovely cup of tea with his mom and dad.”

“I think this young man has the ability to be America’s next boxing superstar. This young man has it all. He’s an exceptional individual with amazing talent, and on March 15 the hero returns to his hometown of Orlando, Florida, which will be a huge night of boxing live on DAZN.”

OMARI JONES

“I feel like I’m ready, I feel as though I’ve made the right decision to be here with you and with Matchroom. After a lot of consideration and the conversations we’ve had I knew from the beginning I wanted to be with Matchroom. After meeting Eddie for the first time, I told my dad he might be the one. The process can be frustrating at times but after talking to my team and getting the deal done, I’m happy with the decision that I made.”

“My hometown supported me through the Olympics and even before it as well. The kids at my gym look up to me and want to follow the same route that I’m on. To be an inspiration to them is just amazing. After I qualified for the Olympics, the first thing I thought about was how this is for the kids in Orlando to let them know they could do this too.”

“My dream is to fight the best-of-the-best and right now is just the beginning of my career. The most important part is to be active and stay in the gym which I’m always doing, so I’m ready for the call for a World Championship when that comes.”

“I definitely feel I could be America’s next boxing superstar. It’s something I’ve worked for my whole life, it’s the same ring I’ve been fighting in for the past 14 years just in a different arena. I’m ready for the professional game and ready to step in against the big boys.”

Team USA Olympic medalist Omari Jones has signed a promotional deal with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom.

Jones won bronze at the Paris games last summer in the Welterweight division as the sole boxing medalist for America, and now the outstanding Orlando talent will look to emulate his amateur success in the paid ranks.

The 22-year-old added his Olympic prize to the silver medal he won at the 2021 World Championships in Belgrade, Serbia, and Jones’ pro debut will be announced by Hearn and Matchroom tomorrow.

Jones’ success in the ring is matched by his achievements in the classroom, with his journey into the paid ranks coming hot on the heels of his graduation from Valencia College in Orlando with an Associate Degree in General Studies with business focus, and now Jones is ready to turn his attention to making waves in the professional code.

“I am happy to announce that I am turning pro with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom,” said Jones, who will be trained by Jason Galarza in Orlando, and will begin life in the paid ranks a few pounds north of the Welterweight limit. “I chose Eddie because he came to meet with me in Paris after my last fight in the Olympics and I understood how serious he was about my making a superstar and global star. I also want to stay busy, and I feel that Matchroom and Eddie Hearn is the perfect fit for that.”

“My goals in the professional game in 2025 is to stay active, and win. Long term, I would like to become World champion, be mentioned amongst the greats and fight the best of the best”

Jones becomes the ninth Olympic medalist to make their pro debut with Hearn and Matchroom, and his new promoter is thrilled to be welcoming the Olympic star to the best team in boxing.

“I am delighted to have won the race to sign Omari,” said Hearn. “Omari caught my eye when I saw him fight at the Olympics – the star potential was there for all to see, and I am honored that he has chosen Matchroom and DAZN to guide him in the pros. The medal in Paris was the culmination of an outstanding amateur career, and I have no doubt that he is going to transfer that success into a glittering career in the paid ranks.

“Omari has all the ingredients to become a household name in America; he has bags of skills, a great style, real work ethic, an infectious personality, and the drive to help young people and his community. We’re excited to get the journey started and news will come tomorrow of that first step.”

The previous eight medalists to make pro debuts with Hearn and Matchroom are: Luke Campbell, Anthony Joshua, Katie Taylor, Daniyar Yeleussinov, Joshua Buatsi, Galal Yafai, Andy Cruz and Beatriz Ferreira.