The welterweight division is one of the most glamorous divisions in all of boxing. Over the years, it has produced stars like Ray Robinson, Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Sugar Ray Leonard. Today, it boasts top fighters like Terence Crawford, Errol Spence Jr. and Keith Thurman. Right behind them, Jaron “Boots” Ennis, Eimantas Stanionis and Vergil Ortiz Jr. are moving up the ranks.
Unfortunately, none of the aforementioned contenders have fought each other just yet. Spence Jr. and Crawford have not come to an agreement to fight for the division’s undisputed title. Meanwhile, Keith Thurman has remained inactive for the better part of the last three years. Fortunately, there seemed to be a break in the mold recently. Ortiz Jr. and Stanionis were on their way to March 18, 2023, but an unforeseen, frightening obstacle has seemingly derailed the bout.
“Yesterday I had emergency [appendectomy] surgery. [I am taking] 2-3 weeks off [from] the gym now,” Stanionis tweeted.
“I know everybody is upset, but it’s a gods plan. I always want to give fans exciting fights and I need [a] little bit [of] time to get fully back from this little surgery.”
While he hopes to return in April, the severity of his medical condition begs the question, “Will he be able to recover in time for a bout in April?” If he is unable to get back in time, Ortiz Jr. will be left searching for an opponent.
