Will Fans See IBF Champion Josh Kelly vs Jaron Ennis This Year?
IBF junior middleweight champion Josh “Pretty Boy” Kelly is all smiles after becoming the first fighter from his hometown of Sunderland, England to capture a world title. With the belt now secured, his future could include a high-profile title defense against former unified welterweight champion Jaron “Boots” Ennis.
In his most recent outing, Kelly (18-1-1, 9 KOs) earned a close majority decision victory over Bakhram Murtazaliev (23-1, 17 KOs), with scorecards reading 113-113, 114-113, and 115-111, to win the IBF title at Newcastle Arena in Newcastle, England.
Kelly appeared to seize control early when he scored a knockdown in the fourth round with a sharp, power left jab. However, the fight swung again in the ninth when Murtazaliev dropped Kelly and mounted a strong late rally. Facing pressure down the stretch, Kelly responded well, finishing strong in the championship rounds. His work in the eleventh and twelfth proved decisive and ultimately secured the victory.
Up next could be a challenging title defense against Ennis. Prior to the bout with Murtazaliev, word leaked that Team Kelly had already agreed to terms to face Ennis, who recently moved on from stalled negotiations for a fight with Vergil Ortiz Jr.
The remaining question is when the public will see Kelly and Ennis share the ring. Ennis is expected to return in either late March or early April, setting the stage for a summer showdown. If finalized, the bout could take place either in England or the United States.
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