Jaron Ennis and Josh Kelly sign Matchroom extensions ahead of three-belt 154lb unification
Ennis's new deal covers his next seven fights, and the unification with IBF champion Kelly is targeted for January or February, likely at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
Matchroom Boxing has tied Jaron "Boots" Ennis and Josh Kelly to new deals before the pair meet to unify three super-welterweight world titles.
The promoter announced the two extensions separately this week. Ennis, the unbeaten WBA and WBO champion, has signed for his next seven fights, a number the promoter does not usually make public. Kelly, the IBF titleholder, has agreed a multi-fight extension.
The pair have an agreement in place to unify their titles on a DAZN headliner. The fight has no set date yet but is targeted for January or February and is likely to take place at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Dan Rafael reported.
"I'm excited for my extended partnership with Matchroom," Ennis said. "Together we have aligned ourselves in all the right positions to get what I want, and that's undisputed. The world is about to see why I'm different and why I'm the best fighter in the world."
Kelly said: "I'm world champion and I am very excited about the future with Matchroom Boxing. Now I only want the biggest fights in the division. Unifications. Bring it on." Promoter Eddie Hearn called him "an elite operator" and said Matchroom has "some huge plans ahead for Josh in 2027".
Kelly, a 2016 British Olympian, won the IBF belt with a majority decision over Bakhram Murtazaliev in January and made his first defence in Jeddah on 25 July, beating Caoimhin Agyarko on a unanimous decision. He called out Ennis after that win but suffered facial cuts, including a severe gash across his nose, which kept him out for the rest of the year.
Ennis first signed with Matchroom in April 2024 and has fought five times under the banner. He unified the WBA and WBO titles by stopping Xander Zayas in the seventh round in June, and has named Kelly as his toughest test at 154.
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