From Sugar Ray Robinson’s one-round destruction of Maurice Arnault in 1941 to Segio Martinez’s second-round knockout of Paul Williams, Atlantic City has served as the Las Vegas, Nevada of the East Coast. However, the city has struggled to get big fights back at the legendary Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall (Formerly Convention Hall) due to the city’s economic decline and several other reasons, but that may change in the near future. With the emergence of Philadelphia natives like Stephen “Cool Boy” Fulton Jr. and Jaron “Boots” Ennis and southern New Jersey natives like Raymond “Savage” Ford, there is hope that Atlantic City will one day become a semi-regular home for big fights.
The road back to bringing big time fights back to Atlantic City continues on April 12, 2025 as Jaron “Boots” Ennis and Eimantas Stanionis meet at Boardwalk Hall. Three welterweight titles, two unblemished records and bragging rights are on the line. Not to mention, Ennis is looking to quiet the critics after two heavily polarized performance and Stanionis is fighting as he potentially misses the birth of his child. The stakes are high, sacrifices have been made and now, only two men will have a chance to write their names in the history books at the historic venue.
How To Watch
- Time: 8 p.m. EST
- Network: DAZN ($19.99 Per Month)
- Location: Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall
Main Card
- Shakhram Giyasov v. Franco Ocampo
- Omari Jones v. William Jackson
- Raymond Ford v. Thomas Mattice
- Jaron “Boots” Ennis v. Eimantas Stanionis
Shakhram Giyasov v. Franco Ocampo
Weight: Welterweight
Odds: Giyasov (-2500) —Ocampo (+1100)
Shakhram Giyasov Heading In To The Ring: Jaron “Boots” Ennis and Eimantas Stanionis are not the only unbeaten welterweights fighting in Boardwalk Hall this evening. Opening the broadcast, Giyasov will look to bounce back from his performance against Miguel Parra with a win against Franco Ocampo on Saturday, April 12, 2025.
Franco Ocampo Heading In To The Ring: Franco Ocampo’s career took an unexpected detour when he suffered a majority decision loss against Jonatan Ruben Vazquez in 2017, but it didn’t deter his championship aspirations. Eight years later, he’s won fourteen out of his last fifteen and put himself in position for a major fight if he’s able to end the 16-fight win streak of 31-year-old contender Shakhram Giyasov.
The Result: Giyasov def. Ocampo (TKO, 4) A straight right hand to the body earned Shakhram Giyasov the 17th win and the 10th knockout of his career. From the opening bell, the undefeated fighter did all that was expected of him — start fast and work the body repeatedly. Above all else, Giyasov’s ability to remain collected as Ocampo attempted to pressure him the opening round allowed him to step back seamlessly and land a shot that would send Ocampo to the canvas for the first time. The knockdown in the opening round set the tone for the fight and perhaps the night as Omari Jones, Raymond Ford and Jaron Ennis head into the ring as heavy favorites as well.
Omari Jones v. William Jackson
Weight: Welterweight
Odds: Jones (-8000) — Jackson (+1700)
Omari Jones Heading In To The Ring: Omari Jones is wasting no time. Two months after making his professional debut, the Orlando, Florida native is back in the ring looking to improve his record to 2-0. However, the Olympian isn’t looking to just win; he’s looking to be great. Jones recently told Ring Magazine, “With the mission and the plan we have in place, I believe that I’ll be getting to where I want to be in no time. I believe so [that I can be a world champion by 2028]. I believe it can happen sooner than that as well.” The only man that can get in the way of Jones plans on Saturday night is William Jackson.
William Jackson Heading In To The Ring: On October 10, 2014, William Jackson beat Gilbert Venegas by unanimous decision to improve his professional record to 12-2-1. In his mid-20’s, Jackson had his entire career in front of him, but things would not work in his favor. A three year layoff, followed by a majority draw and three consecutive knockout losses over the last four years, Jackson is now confronted with potentially his toughest opponent yet, an Olympian riding high off of his first professional win. Will he rise to the occasion or continue with his current losing streak?
The Result: Jones def. Jackson (KO, 1) Leading up to Saturday’s matchup with William Jackson, Omari Jones indicated that he’d like to get a few rounds in during his second pro fight. While he didn’t get his wish, he did add a knockout to his resume, landing a body shot that left Jackson unable to beat the count. It’s too early to determine exactly what Omari Jones’s ceiling will be in the pro ranks, but he’s proven to be the goods thus far.
Raymond Ford v. Thomas Mattice
Weight: Super Featherweight
Odds: Ford (-1400) — Mattice (+750)
Stake(s): WBA Continental North America Super Featherweight Title
Raymond Ford Heading In To The Ring: Jaron “Boots” Ennis is not the only boxer performing in front of his hometown crowd. Hailing from Camden, New Jersey, Raymond Ford is one of the most exciting fighters in the sport today. Whether he’s scoring a late knockout to beat Otabek Kholmatov and win his first world title or battling to a split decision loss against Nick Ball, Ford is always in exciting bouts and tonight promises to be no different. With a tough competitor in Thomas Mattice in front of him, Ford is looking to put on a show for the fans while inching toward potential fights with super featherweight champions like O’Shaquie Foster, Emanuel Navarrete and Lamont Roach Jr.
Thomas Mattice Heading In To The Ring: One fight chan can change your life. Ask George Kambosos Jr. Ask Andy Ruiz. After tonight, Thomas Mattice hopes people will be asking him. After a tough loss at the hands of Eduardo “Rocky” Hernandez, Mattice is looking to score the biggest win of his career, but it will not be easy. Despite his recent loss to Hernandez, Mattice has won seven of his last nine, but Ford stands out as his toughest opponent to date.
The Result: Ford def. Mattice (UD, 10) At times, fans at the historic Boardwalk Hall booed Thomas Mattice and Raymond Ford, but it had little to do with Ford’s ring generalship, speed and sharpness. Through 10 rounds, little was in question other than the number of rounds Ford would win on each judge’s scorecard. While Mattice was able to land a few hard shots and avoid getting hit with anything that would send him to the canvas, it was not a surprise to see all judges score the bout 100-90 in Ford’s favor. Now, Ford readies himself for a potential shot at the IBF title later this year.
Jaron “Boots” Ennis v. Eimantas Stanionis
Weight: Welterweight
Odds: Ennis (-650) — Stanionis (+450)
Stake(s): IBF, WBA & Ring Magazine Welterweight Titles
Jaron “Boots” Ennis Heading In To The Ring: When Jaron “Boots” Ennis ousted Custio Clayton in two rounds, critics and supporters alike fawned over the Philadelphia’s unique blend of speed, power, athleticism and skill. However, the praise bestowed upon the promising fighter has fluctuated as his two performances against Karen Chukhadzhian and David Avanesyan have been met with criticism. Making matters worse, fans more than expressed their disappointment with the current direction of the Philadelphia native’s career when a potential matchup with Vergil Ortiz Jr. reportedly failed to come to fruition. Now, he has the opportunity to turn the tide with a win against fellow unbeaten welterweight champion Eimantas Stanionis on Friday, April 12, 2025 at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall.
Eimantas Stanionis Heading In To The Ring: Boxers sacrifice more than most can imagine to be at their best. On Saturday, April 12, 2025, the WBA Welterweight Champion will potentially miss the birth of his child in the hope of beating Jaron “Boots” Ennis to become the lineal welterweight champion. In his last six outings, Stanionis has earned wins against the likes of Thomas Dulorme and Radzhab Butaev, but Ennis presents a new challenge. At 30 years old, Stanionis is enter the prime money-making years of career, but will he do so a champion looking for unification bout with Brian Norman Jr. or Thomas Mattice or will he do so a tough, non-titleholder who most will likely avoid if possible?
The Result: Ennis def. Stanionis (TKO, 7)
