- Jaron 'Boots' Ennis (36-0, 32 KOs) will defend his WBA and WBO super welterweight titles against IBF champion Josh Kelly (19-1-1, 9 KOs) on Saturday 27 February at State Farm Arena, Atlanta
- Both men are with Matchroom and the fight will be on DAZN, with the winner one belt away from undisputed status, as WBC champion Sebastian Fundora holds the other title
- My view: Kelly deserves this shot and has the skills to make it awkward, but Ennis wins by stoppage in the second half
Ennis vs Kelly: The Fight Is Official
Right then, a proper fight to look forward to in the new year. Jaron Ennis will put his WBA and WBO super welterweight titles on the line against IBF champion Josh Kelly on Saturday 27 February at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. Three belts, two champions, one night. It will be shown on DAZN, and in the United States on TNT and truTV.
Both men are promoted by Matchroom, which is exactly why this one got made without months of arguing. Eddie Hearn admitted a deal was in place in the late summer, and now we have a date and a venue. Fair play.
How Ennis And Kelly Got Here
Boots Announced Himself At 154
Ennis is 36-0 with 32 knockouts and he has looked frightening since moving up. Back in June he stopped Xander Zayas in the seventh round to win the WBA and WBO titles, dropping him in the first, fifth and seventh. Zayas is a good fighter and Ennis made him look ordinary. That is the level we are talking about.
Kelly Has Earned His Place
Credit where it is due to Kelly. The Sunderland man pulled off a majority decision upset in January to become IBF champion, then defended it in July with a unanimous decision despite a nasty gash on his face. Plenty of people wrote Pretty Boy off after his early-career setbacks, and he has proved them wrong. He is 32, he is clever, and his hand speed is class.
Ennis vs Kelly Prediction
Let's not beat around the bush. Kelly has the footwork and the reflexes to make the first few rounds awkward, and I would not be surprised if he nicks two or three early on. But Ennis is levels above anyone Kelly has shared a ring with. Boots switches stance, he punches with power from both sides and he reads opponents brilliantly. Kelly likes to carry his hands low and Ennis will punish that.
My prediction is Ennis by stoppage between rounds eight and ten. Kelly is tough enough to hear a few bells, but the accumulation of Ennis's body work will tell.
Then It Is Fundora
The winner will hold three of the four belts. WBC champion Sebastian Fundora, who stopped Ermal Hadribeaj with one second left in October, says he wants the winner in 2027. Make no mistake, Ennis vs Fundora for undisputed is the fight the division needs, and I expect it to happen.