Eimantas Stanionis learns opponent for UTMA 19 bout

Eimantas Stanionis will return to a Lithuanian ring against a fighter chosen for his willingness to engage. The 32-year-old boxer will meet South African Kaine Fourie in a 10-round bout at the UTMA 19 tournament in Kaunas on Sept. 26.

The fight will be held at the 150-pound limit, or 68.08 kilograms, and will serve as the evening’s co-main event at Žalgiris Arena. The main event will feature Sergejus Maslobojevas and Dominykas Dirkstys under kickboxing rules.

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This time, we looked for an opponent not only by ranking, but also by his style. We really wanted a fighter who would want to fight.

UTMA head V. Gecas said organizers looked beyond rankings when selecting Fourie. They wanted an opponent with an aggressive style rather than a fighter focused mainly on absorbing punches and counterattacking, as Stanionis’s previous opponent Jabulani Makhense had done.

Fourie, 24, has won 13 professional fights, 11 by knockout, with two losses and two draws. He became IBF African lightweight champion in 2024 and fought unsuccessfully for the IBO intercontinental lightweight title in 2025. After moving up in weight, he recorded two knockout victories in 2026.

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I am very happy and grateful to the UTMA organization for the opportunity to fight in Lithuania again. I really want to show my new version.

Stanionis said he felt grateful for the chance to fight in Lithuania again and wanted to show a new version of himself. He previously fought in Lithuania at UTMA 13, beating Makhense by unanimous decision. Stanionis has 16 professional wins, including nine knockouts, and one defeat. He won the WBA world welterweight title in 2022.

Gecas said the comeback fight could help Stanionis remain in the world rankings. He must fight at least once a year to stay ranked and hopes the bout will keep him close to another world-title opportunity.

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For Eimantas, this is a fight to get back into rhythm. To remain in the world rankings, he must fight at least once a year.