Jaron “Boots” Ennis is now days away from having his next fight finalized, with promoter Eddie Hearn confirming that a deal is close and a decision is expected by the end of next week. The timeline is no longer open-ended, and the focus has shifted from possible opponents to when the announcement lands.
Hearn told BoxingScene that the process has reached the point where a call will be made imminently. “I think by the end of next week, we will be pulling the trigger on a ‘Boots’ fight,” he said. “So it’s imminent.” The update moves Ennis out of a waiting phase and into a defined window, with June now the target for his return.
The delay has come after a planned fight with Vergil Ortiz Jnr broke down despite reaching an advanced stage. Hearn said the bout had progressed to the point where media activity was being organized before legal action halted discussions. That left Matchroom searching for a replacement opponent while keeping Ennis active at 154lbs.
Among the names in play is WBA and WBO champion Xander Zayas, with talks taking place following Top Rank’s broadcast alignment with DAZN. Hearn confirmed that discussions have happened, though no formal rollout has been scheduled for that matchup. He added that the fight is comparable in quality to the Ortiz bout, viewing it as a viable alternative rather than a step down.
IBF titleholder Josh Kelly is also in the mix, either as a direct opponent for Ennis or in a separate defense depending on how negotiations land. Hearn pointed to the financial strength behind a potential Ennis-Zayas fight as a factor in how the situation could develop, while leaving open the possibility of Kelly facing either man.
The key shift is timing for Boots, 28, because he’s already been inactive since last October. He was initially expected to fight earlier in the spring, but the delay pushed his return into June. With a decision now set for the coming days, that schedule is expected to hold.
A fight announcement should follow quickly once the choice is made, bringing an end to a stretch where Ennis had options but no confirmed opponent. At this point, it comes down to execution.
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Last Updated on 2026/03/21 at 11:32 AM
