2025-11-09 12:32:58
Eddie Hearn has revealed Jaron Ennis could face the winner of the Bakhram Murtazaliev vs Josh Kelly fight next year.
Despite not having a connection with either fighter, the Matchroom Boxing promoter stepped up to save the upcoming IBF super-welterweight bout between Murda, 32, and Pretty Boy, 31, from going to a purse bid, and Hearn has now revealed the winner of the match could then share the ring with Boots, 28, at some point in 2026.
Speaking with The Ring, Hearn said: “[Kelly’s trainer and manager] Adam Booth approached us about doing the fight. I don’t represent Josh Kelly at the moment, and Murtazaliev is with Kathy Duva, Luis Decubas, and Egis Klimas, whom I’ve got a good relationship with.
“I agreed to a deal to stage the fight. I like the fight. Murtazaliev is a very good fighter, and we are investing in that division with Jaron Ennis.
“Anytime there is a Brit fighting a very good fighter for a world title, I’m excited by it … Tying up the deal for the fight, obviously, we want to have a horse in the race, if you want to call it that way.
“We are putting our money up for the fight. We’re interested to see the outcome of that fight.”
After beating Uisma Lima, 32, inside the first round in his debut as a super-welterweight last month, Ennis agreed to fight Vergil Ortiz Jr., 27, next.
Hearn hopes negotiations with The Texas Machine can be settled, but the promoter is prepared to target the victor of Murtazaliev vs Kelly, which is aiming for a January 31 fight date, if talks fall through.
He said: “You always want to win a world title, but the fact is that the best fight that could be made in the 154-pound division is Boots versus Vergil Ortiz.
“I just hope Vergil and his team truly want that fight, because that is, for me, the best fight in the division. If we can’t get the fight, of course, we will target the winner of Murtazaliev-Kelly.”
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