Josh Kelly will take on Jaron “Boots” Ennis in a mouthwatering world-title fight, it has been confirmed.
On 27 February, Kelly will take on Ennis in Atlanta, Georgia, as the pair unify their super-welterweight belts at State Farm Arena.
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Britain’s Kelly will enter the bout as IBF champion, while his American foe holds the WBA and WBO titles. The contest surely marks the toughest test of Kelly’s career, as the Sunderland boxer aims to become the first fighter to beat Ennis.
Last time out, Ennis stopped Xander Zayas to collect his belts, handing the Puerto Rican his first professional loss. Boots dropped Zayas in rounds one and five, before doing the same in round seven to end the fight.
The result also crowned Ennis, 29, a two-weight champion, following his unified-title reign at welterweight.
Kelly realised his own world-title dream in January, outpointing Bakhram Murtazaliev to become IBF champion, before retaining the belt with a decision win over Caoimhin Agyarko in July.
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Both opponents were undefeated before facing Kelly, who will therefore believe he can end Ennis’s own unbeaten run.
Kelly, 32, has lost just once as a pro – a stoppage defeat by David Avanesyan in 2021 – and his record also includes a 2019 draw with Ray Robinson.
Of Kelly’s 19 wins, nine have come via KO/TKO, while Ennis has 32 KOs from 36 victories.
“It’s that time again!” Ennis said in a press release on Wednesday. “I’m adding another belt to the collection. It’s time to look marvelous and put on a beautiful show. 154lbs is MINE! I’m going to keep knocking them down one by one.”
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Kelly added: “I’ve waited a very long time to prove myself at the highest level – finally I have that moment.”
And Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn, who promotes both boxers, said: “What a fantastic unification fight this is. Boots and Josh are both brilliant world champions. This was not a difficult fight to make when you lay out what is there for the winner – three belts around your waist, and just one more to collect to become undisputed at 154 and lay the foundations to a legacy in the sport.”
