Ennis targeting second unification fight in a row.
In American boxing, Jaron Ennis is considered one of the most likely to be a future force at the highest level. Known as “Boots”, the 29-year-old has reigned as a unified world champion at both welterweight and super-welterweight. And if promoter Eddie Hearn is to be believed, that is only the start of what he will go on to do.
Having been linked to a fight with fellow American Vergil Ortiz Jr., Ennis is a prominent player in the 154-pound division, which is considered by many to be the most talent-laden weight class in the sport.
But after talks regarding a fight with Ortiz broke down early this year, Ennis moved on to other things, recently stopping Xander Zayas to pick up the WBA and WBO world titles.
That victory sent a warning throughout the division, and now Ennis’s fans have been waiting to see what he will do next. Mostly, a fight against either of the other two champions has been called for.
Well, it is now being reported that the American is in deep negotiations to engage in a three-belt unification with IBF champion Josh Kelly.
England’s Kelly pulled off a shock in January when he became champion by beating Bakhram Murtazaliev, who was a feared and undefeated force at super-welterweight.
Last month, Kelly made his first defence of his trinket in a competitive victory over Caoimhin Agyarko on the Anthony Joshua vs. Kristian Prenga undercard. And immediately after, the Ennis fight came up.
Though Kelly suffered a cut in that bout, it is thought that the matchup between him Ennis is being targeted for the East Coast of the United States in either November or December.
Jaron “Boots” Ennis and Josh Kelly are in advanced negotiations for a three-belt junior middleweight unification fight 👑
The bout is reportedly being targeted for the East Coast of the USA in either November or December 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/Dd0Es5wVHi
— Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) August 24, 2026
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