Eddie Hearn Expects Josh Kelly To Face Jaron Ennis

Hearn says Ennis wants Sebastian Fundora first, but expects Josh Kelly to land the fight once the unified champion completes his chase for every belt at 154 pounds.

Eddie Hearn expects Josh Kelly to fight Jaron Ennis after the unified champion completes his pursuit of the undisputed junior middleweight title. Hearn says Sebastian Fundora remains Ennis’ top target as negotiations continue for the remaining world championship fights.

“Josh Kelly,” said Hearn to Matchroom Boxing. “I think we had a call with Boots the other day. He just wants to become undisputed. The fight he wants more than any fight is Fundora because he feels like he’s the WBC world champion. That’s a fight for The Ring belt. He wants to win all the belts, so he loves the Josh Kelly fight; he loves the Vergil Ortiz fight.

“You’ve got to understand the position after June 27 where he’s now a unified world champion. Previously he couldn’t get a champion, so those other fights made sense because he wanted to prove he was the best. Now it’s the road to undisputed.

“Boots is looking this way. He ain’t looking to turn around. Everybody says that’s a good fight. He goes, ‘Okay, what’s the deal?’ You’ve got to incentivize me to take that fight because I’ll take less money to chase these guys in front of me for my belts. We’re negotiating those options right now, and he’ll decide what he wants to do. He’s a legacy guy. He wants undisputed.”

Kelly defends his title against Caoimhin Agyarko on Saturday. A victory would strengthen his position if Ennis cannot secure the remaining championship fights needed to become undisputed.