Ennis Unification Fight Reportedly Set

Jaron Ennis (36-0, 32 KOs) is reportedly closing in on a three-belt super welterweight unification fight against IBF champion Josh Kelly (19-1-1, 9 KOs).

The fight is rumored to take place in November or December at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, though a date has yet to be finalized. Promoter Eddie Hearn previously put the chances of the fight happening this year at “80%.”

Ennis became the unified WBA and WBO champion when he stopped Xander Zayas in the seventh round at Barclays Center on June 27.

Kelly won the IBF title with a decision victory over Bakhram Murtazaliev on January 31, and retained the belt against Caoimhin Agyarko on July 25. Kelly underwent minor surgery after suffering a nose injury in that fight, but trainer Adam Booth said in August he was expected to recover within eight weeks.

Ennis has also been linked with Vergil Ortiz Jr. and WBC champion Sebastian Fundora, though Kelly shares the same Matchroom promoter as ‘Boots’, simplifying negotiations. Fundora, meanwhile, is set to defend his title against mandatory challenger Ermal Hadribeaj on October 17, taking him out of the picture for now.

Should Ennis beat Kelly, he would hold three of the four major titles at 154 pounds, leaving Fundora as the remaining obstacle to becoming undisputed champion.