Jaron 'Boots' Ennis signs seven-fight Matchroom extension as Josh Kelly unification nears

Jaron 'Boots' Ennis has signed a new contract with Matchroom Boxing that covers his next seven fights, the promotion confirmed on Tuesday, October 20. The deal was announced only hours after Matchroom renewed IBF super welterweight champion Josh Kelly, the man Eddie Hearn has lined up to face Ennis in a three-belt unification early in 2027.

Matchroom first revealed the news on X with a "BOOTS RENEWS" graphic describing a "multi-year contract extension". Its official release later added that the new deal "covers his next seven fights", and The Ring Magazine also reported it as a seven-fight extension. Earlier reports of a seven-fight deal on fan accounts are therefore now confirmed by the promoter.

Matchroom did not publish financial terms. Uncrowned, via Yahoo Sports, reported that the deal is expected to be worth eight figures.

What Ennis and Hearn said

"I'm excited for my extended partnership with Matchroom," Ennis said in the release. "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!"

Hearn said: "I am delighted that Jaron has signed a new deal with us. 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."

Ennis, 29, first signed with Matchroom in April 2024 and agreed a long-term extension in July 2025 before moving up to 154 pounds. He is 36-0 with 32 knockouts and holds the WBA and WBO titles at super welterweight after a stoppage win over Xander Zayas at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

Josh Kelly renewed earlier the same day

Earlier on October 20, Matchroom announced that Kelly had signed a new multi-fight contract extension. The 32-year-old from Sunderland won the IBF title with a majority decision over Bakhram Murtazaliev in January at Newcastle's Utilita Arena, then retained it with a unanimous decision against Caoimhin Agyarko in Jeddah in July. His record stands at 19-1-1 with nine knockouts.

"I'm World Champion and I am very excited about the future with Matchroom Boxing," Kelly said. "Now I only want the biggest fights in the division. Unifications. Bring it on."

Ennis vs Kelly targeted for early 2027

With both champions tied to new deals, the road looks clear for Ennis vs Kelly. Veteran boxing reporter Dan Rafael wrote on X that the two extensions "very clearly" mean a formal announcement of the three-belt unification is forthcoming. Uncrowned reported that the fight is planned for January or February 2027.

Hearn told The Ring on October 12 that the fight was "virtually there" and pointed to the end of January. He also said he was in talks with Luis DeCubas Jr. and PBC about the Ennis vs Kelly winner facing WBC champion Sebastian Fundora next, a fight that would be for all four major belts at 154 pounds.

No date, venue or official fight announcement for Ennis vs Kelly had been made as of Tuesday night. POP MMA will update this story when Matchroom confirms the fight.