Jaron Ennis enters as the clear favorite to claim Josh Kelly’s IBF belt when their three-belt unification lands in late February. Kelly brings slick movement alongside quick hands, yet keeping Boots at bay for twelve full rounds presents a far steeper hill to climb than winning the strap in the first place.

Matchroom has targeted a late-February date for Kelly’s camp, according to EverythingBoxing’s report on Adam Booth’s conversation with Tris Dixon. Atlanta currently leads the race to host, though the official word remains pending.

Ennis puts his WBA and WBO junior middleweight belts on the line against Kelly’s IBF crown. Collecting all four pieces of the division requires WBC titlist Sebastian Fundora, though securing that final meeting could easily turn into the hardest part of the mission.

Sampson Lewkowicz, Fundora’s promoter, continues to demand a straight 50-50 split. If that posture holds firm, Boots could easily unify three belts only to sit idle in the pursuit of undisputed glory. Owning three straps undoubtedly sharpens his leverage, though it hardly guarantees an agreement.

Kelly represents the immediate hurdle, and surviving requires far more than defensive slipping. He must land clean shots, bank rounds, and punish Ennis whenever the distance closes. Spending the night on the back foot simply invites Boots to set the terms of engagement.

The downstairs work looms as a nightmare scenario for the English champion. Ennis digs viciously to the ribs whenever targets upstairs slip away, draining Kelly’s legs and robbing him of chances to set his stance for counters. Kelly’s blistering hand speed can spark early moments, though keeping that pace alive under relentless pressure remains a brutal task.

Kelly earned genuine credibility by toppling Bakhram Murtazaliev for the title, giving this clash real merit. Still, that triumph cannot mask the massive power divide, nor does it justify getting sucked into pocket exchanges with Boots.

Ennis stands as the emphatic selection to emerge victorious. Whether that win unlocks an undisputed date with Fundora remains a messy business deal, one fight followers should never take for granted.