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Britain’s Kelly to face Ennis in February unification bout
Britain’s Josh Kelly will challenge unbeaten American Jaron Ennis for the WBA and WBO light-middleweight titles in Atlanta on 27 February, in a bout that will unify three of the division’s four major belts. The winner will be one title away from becoming undisputed champion, a status last achieved at light-middleweight by Jermell Charlo in 2022.
Kelly, 32, holds the IBF belt and has won nine consecutive fights, including his title-winning victory in January and a successful first defence in July. Ennis, 29, has 37 wins and one no-contest, and became a two-weight world champion in June; Kelly is expected to be the underdog. Kelly said he had waited a long time for the chance to prove himself at the highest level, while promoter Eddie Hearn said the winner would build towards a lasting legacy.
In short
- Kelly will face Ennis in Atlanta on 27 February.
- Three light-middleweight world titles will be at stake.
- The winner will be one belt short of undisputed status.
Explained simply
Boxing’s light-middleweight division has four major world titles, awarded by separate organisations. A fighter who holds all four is called the undisputed champion; Jermell Charlo was the last to achieve that status in the division, in 2022.
Josh Kelly holds the IBF title, while Jaron Ennis holds the WBA and WBO belts. Their records and recent title wins have put both among the division’s leading fighters, and the result will shape who is positioned to pursue the remaining major title.