Jaron Ennis names Josh Kelly as his toughest test at 154, not Sebastian Fundora

The WBA and WBO super-welterweight champion's unification fight with IBF titleholder Kelly is close to being finalised for early January, with Atlanta's State Farm Arena the most likely venue.

Jaron Ennis believes Josh Kelly, not Sebastian Fundora, is the hardest opponent waiting for him in his pursuit of all four super-welterweight titles.

The view matters because Kelly is next. Ennis, who holds the WBA and WBO belts, is expected to face the IBF titleholder in a unification bout in the United States in January. The fight is close to being finalised for early in the month, with the State Farm Arena in Atlanta the most likely location.

The winner is then expected to meet WBC champion Fundora in mid-2027 to decide the division's second undisputed champion, after Jermell Charlo. Much of the debate among American fans has centred on whether Fundora's size would cause problems for Ennis.

Ennis, who is aiming to become undisputed within the next 12 months, gave his answer to DAZN during Fundora's broadcast. He said: “The toughest [fight at 154]? I would say Josh Kelly. He can box, he can move, this is what everybody says that I can’t do! I am going to show y’all.” Fundora retained his WBC title on that card with a knockout of Ermal Hadribeaj in the final second.

Ennis won his two belts by knocking out Xander Zayas at the Barclays Center in New York in June. He chose to chase the four titles at 154lb rather than pursue a possible super-fight with Vergil Ortiz Jr.

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