WBA Welterweight Champion Eimantas Stanionis (15-0, 9 KOs) returned from an extended layoff to score a unanimous decision victory over two-time Olympian Gabriel Maestre (6-1-1, 5 KOs) after 12 rounds of toe-to-toe dueling.
"I know I said there would be no ring rust, but of course it's different once you're in the ring with all the lights,” said Stanionis. “It was very emotional to be back in the ring after such a long and frustrating time. It wasn't my best performance. I'll be back next time and better for sure.”
"I felt Stanionis respected me, it was a tough fight,” said Maestre. “It didn’t turn out the way I wanted with the world title, but we gave the fans a show and, like I said at the press conference, it was a show stealer.”
In a rematch of an amateur duel from nearly 10 years ago, Stanionis again emerged victorious by landing an impressive 41% of his shots. Although Maestre threw over 100 more power punches than his opponent, Stanionis landed 180 power shots compared to Maestre’s 152.
"The power shots were the difference,” said Stanionis. “He was just touching me and I was hitting him with big shots and putting pressure on him all of the time. It was a do-or-die fight for him and I think he had a good performance and I was just okay.”
Maestre’s activity was not enough to keep Stanionis from coming forward, as the 2016 Lithuanian Olympian used an impressive array of left hooks and uppercuts to consistently push back his charging opponent. Stanionis was able to out-land Maestre in all but three of the 12 rounds.
After 12 rounds, all three judges saw a wide victory for Stanionis, with the final tallies reading 119-109, 118-110 and 117-111.
“My corner gave me good advice and encouragement throughout the fight,” said Maestre. “I’m very appreciative of Coach Salas and my entire team. I’m going to come back stronger. No doubt about it. I’m eager to see what’s next.”
"I just want to be active,” said Stanionis. “That's the main priority. I was off for two years and in my country of Lithuania, where there isn't the best sparring. Next camp everything is going to be better."
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3 май 2024
