Jaron Ennis could move straight from Josh Kelly into another unification against Sebastian Fundora, with Eddie Hearn working to arrange the follow-up while targeting late January for the Kelly fight.
That would give Ennis a chance to collect titles quickly at 154 pounds, provided he gets past Kelly. Hearn is discussing Fundora as the next opponent for the winner, so Kelly would have the same opportunity if he upsets Boots.
“We’re also in talks at the moment with [Sampson Lewkowicz] and PBC about the winner fighting Fundora straight off the bat, and looking to contract that almost in the same process,” Hearn said to Matchroom. “Certainly, Boots, all he wants to do is try and become undisputed as quickly as possible.”
Hearn described Ennis–Kelly as “virtually there,” but said the date and venue still need to be finalized. Late January 2027 is now the target as Matchroom and DAZN work on the arena and broadcast slot. The Fundora agreement also remains under discussion.
The attraction for Ennis is obvious. Signing the next fight in advance could save him months of waiting and negotiating after Kelly. Winning one unification would put him straight into preparations for another.
But Kelly has an opportunity to spoil that schedule. His movement and holding could make it difficult for Ennis to get the exchanges he wants, particularly if Boots follows him around rather than cutting off the ring. Ennis needs to make Kelly work and keep him from turning rounds into short bursts of action followed by long stretches of movement.
Kelly’s win over Bakhram Murtazaliev should also discourage anyone from treating him as a routine stop before Fundora. He has already beaten a dangerous champion, and another upset would put him in position to collect more belts.
Fundora would present a very different fight, with his height, reach, and willingness to trade. Before Ennis gets that opportunity, he has to solve Kelly’s style. Having the next opponent lined up would help his title ambitions, but it will be Kelly across the ring in January.
