It’s rewind time and Eimantas Stanionis and Gabriel Maestre are ready to run it back like they did in 2015. The revenge match in the waiting for almost a decade has a date, and the two are ready to fight it out on Cinco de Mayo weekend. But the stakes are higher this time. Now, the fight is for Stanionis’ WBA “Regular” welterweight crown. So, who will bag the title and settle their rivalry once and for all?

When Stanionis and Maestre fought in the amateurs in 2015 at the AIBA World Boxing Championships in Qatar, the two produced a classic match, only to be separated by a split decision. back then, Stanionis won the bout. However, Maestre is now looking for his chance to get even with his old foe. But how do they stack up before they kick off the PPV action at Canelo Alvarez vs. Jaime Munguia undercard on May 4 at the T-Mobile Arena?

Eimantas Stanionis vs. Gabriel Maestre: Tale of the tap

Stanionis, at 29, is the younger of the two and stands tall at 5’8″ (173 cm). His impressive, unblemished record of 14-0 with 9 KOs and 64% KO ratio is built on his heavy punches and power. In addition, he has a reach of 68″ (173 cm), which might cause some adjustment issues. The Lithuanian champion last entered the ring at 146.5 lbs when he made the weight for his first title fight.

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Meanwhile, despite being the older of the two at 37, Maestre is the taller at 5’10” (179cm) and holds a reach advantage at 73″ (185 cm). Besides, the Venezuelan boxer’s record of 6-0-1 with 5 KOs, especially his 83% KO ratio, makes him a tough opponent. He also has no issues with making weight, as he last recorded a weight of 146.6 lbs when he entered the squared circle. But how do these numbers translate into recent fights?

Recent record, momentum, and style matchup

Maestre only joined the pro route post-30, and after his initial outburst, he turned in a few lackluster performances against Mykal Fox in 2021 and Taras Shelestyuk in 2022. But since then, he has handed a defeat to former two-division titleholder Devon Alexander. He most recently staged an upset against young, hot prospect Travon Marshall.

What has worked in his favor is his zeal to iron out his issues, do what he does best, and fight aggressively. Maestre’s toughness and power in his later age are still earning him impressive wins. On the other hand, Stanionis is coming off two years of inactivity, which can’t be attributed to him.

He failed to secure a fight with Vergil Ortiz Jr., and the fight was pushed ahead twice before eventually getting canceled. The welterweight champion hasn’t fought since outsmarting Radzhab Butaev to win the WBA strap in 2022. But the Freddie Roach and Marvin Somodio disciple has what it takes to jump straight into action without feeling the ring rust. Can he continue his juggernaut against an old foe, who has been waiting for almost a decade?

Prediction: Who wins it?

Should you be worried about Maestre, who has to match the energy of an 8-year younger opponent? One should be. While he seeks inspiration from fellow countryman Ismael Barroso, his body might not be able to withstand the punishment that Stanionis might unload at over 12 rounds. Moreover, the question of his stamina and the sturdiness of his body loom large.

Stanionis broke down Butaev throughout 12 rounds as he became the champion. You can expect something similar this weekend, as his heavy punches slowly diminish Maestre’s chances of victory. However, Maestre has shown earlier that he knows how to get up from the canvas and pull off an upset. Can he do it again? It doesn’t seem likely as of now. However, in boxing, everyone has a puncher’s chance. And right now, we have the champion making his first successful title defense throughout 12 rounds. So the stakes are much higher for Stanionis.

What do you make of the coming fight between Eimantas Stanionis and Gabriel Maestre? Who do you think will win the encounter on May 4? Let us know in the comments below.