Jaron Ennis signs seven-fight Matchroom extension with Josh Kelly unification in sight

Jaron “Boots” Ennis has signed a seven-fight contract extension with Matchroom Boxing as the WBA and WBO junior-middleweight champion pursues the remaining titles at 154lbs.

The multi-year agreement is expected to run until the end of 2028, according to Yahoo Sports. Matchroom is targeting a three-belt unification between Ennis and IBF champion Josh Kelly for early 2027, with promoter Eddie Hearn identifying late January as his preferred window. A date and venue have not been announced.

Ennis, unbeaten in 36 fights with 32 knockouts and one no-contest, claimed the WBA and WBO belts by stopping the previously unbeaten Xander Zayas in the seventh round at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center on June 27. Kelly holds the IBF title, while Sebastian Fundora remains WBC champion.

“I’m excited for my extended partnership with Matchroom,” Ennis said in Tuesday’s announcement. “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! These guys aren’t on my level! They can’t do what I do! Road to undisputed! Road to the number one pound-for-pound best fighter in the world!”

Matchroom working on Ennis–Kelly

Matchroom also announced a new multi-fight agreement with Kelly on Tuesday, extending its relationship with both champions ahead of their proposed unification.

In an interview published by The Ring last Tuesday, Hearn said the fight was close to being finalised, with broadcast arrangements still to be completed with DAZN.

“We’re virtually there to be honest with you,” Hearn said. “When you represent two guys, both guys essentially have that fight in their contract. So it’s just kind of up to us to activate that with the broadcaster.”

Hearn identified late January as the target to secure the preferred arena and broadcast slot, having previously suggested December or early January in comments reported by BoxingScene earlier this month.

Kelly, 19–1–1 with nine knockouts, won the IBF championship from Bakhram Murtazaliev by majority decision in Newcastle in January. He retained the belt against Caoimhin Agyarko in Jeddah in July, earning a unanimous decision despite sustaining a significant cut to his nose.

Kelly’s trainer and manager, Adam Booth, subsequently indicated that the injury would heal in time for a return before the end of the year, according to BoxingScene’s report earlier this month. Hearn has since identified late January as the preferred window for the Ennis unification.

Ennis initially joined Matchroom in April 2024 and made two IBF welterweight title defences in Philadelphia that year, defeating David Avanesyan and Karen Chukhadzhian. He then unified the IBF and WBA titles at 147lbs when Eimantas Stanionis retired after six rounds in Atlantic City in April 2025.

After moving up to junior-middleweight, Ennis stopped Uisma Lima in the opening round that October before beating Zayas to become a unified champion in his new division.

“I am delighted that Jaron has signed a new deal with us,” Hearn said in Tuesday’s announcement. “It’s an honor that this pound-for-pound star continues to trust us with his career, and the whole team intends to repay that faith by delivering what he wants; unification and undisputed fights and the biggest names and nights in the sport.”

Fundora talks under way

Fundora retained the WBC title by stopping mandatory challenger Ermal Hadribeaj with one second remaining in the 12th round at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas on Saturday.

In the same interview with The Ring last Tuesday, ahead of Fundora’s successful defence, Hearn said Matchroom had opened discussions with Luis DeCubas Jr and Premier Boxing Champions about matching him with the Ennis–Kelly winner.

“We’re also in talks at the moment with Luis DeCubas Jr. and PBC about the winner fighting Fundora straight off the bat,” Hearn said. “We’re looking to contract that almost in the same process, because that’s really what both guys want.”

Fundora’s victory keeps that potential route to an undisputed champion intact, with his WBC belt the only major title that would not be at stake between Ennis and Kelly.

No agreement involving Fundora has been announced, while the date and venue for Ennis–Kelly remain unconfirmed.