Jaron Ennis is set to continue ‘belt hunting’ after reportedly securing his next outing.
‘Boots’ scored the 32nd stoppage of his career when he beat Xander Zayas in June, capturing both the WBO and WBA super-welterweight world titles.
The switch-hitter from Philadelphia has since made no secret of his goal to become undisputed in the division, with WBC champion Sebastian Fundora and the IBF’s Josh Kelly standing in his way.
While Fundora is tied up in an upcoming mandatory defence against Ermal Hadribeaj, Ennis and Kelly have been engaged in negotiations through shared promoter Matchroom, and, according to the Brit’s trainer Adam Booth when speaking to Total Boxing with Tris Dixon, the fight is as good as done.
“We’ve agreed all the terms and, apparently, from what I’ve been told, so has ‘Boots’. We’re just waiting for the date.”
Kelly has rebuilt his career emphatically since suffering his sole professional defeat to David Avanesyan in 2021 at welterweight.
The Sunderland native and 2016 Olympian crowned his resurgence by capturing the IBF super-welterweight title with a standout victory over Bakhram Murtazaliev in January of this year.
Kelly has since successfully defended his status, most recently securing a bloody, hard-fought win over Caoimhin Agyarko in July.
Operating under the guidance of veteran trainer Booth, ‘Pretty Boy’ has shed the early-career criticisms regarding his durability and stamina to show a newfound championship grit to complement his trademark slick, hands-down style.
Pound-for-pound star Ennis, however, should represent far and away the toughest test of his career, perhaps highlighted by the American’s five-round KO win over shared opponent Avanesyan.
