Jaron “Boots” Ennis is now days away from his next fight, with promoter Eddie Hearn confirming a deal is close and a decision expected by the end of next week. The timeline is no longer open, and the focus has shifted from possible opponents to when the announcement lands.
Hearn told BoxingScene the process has reached the point where a call will be made soon. “I think by the end of next week we will pull 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 came after a planned fight with Vergil Ortiz Jnr. broke despite an advanced stage. Hearn said the fight progressed to the point where media activity was organized before legal action halted discussions. This left Matchroom searching for a replacement opponent while Ennis kept 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 taken place, although no formal rollout has been scheduled for that match. He added that the fight is comparable in quality to the Ortiz bout, and sees 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 power behind a potential Ennis-Zayas fight as a factor in how the situation could develop, while leaving open the possibility of Kelly facing either.
The key shift is timing for Boots, 28, as he has already been inactive since last October. He was initially expected to fight earlier in the spring, but the delay pushed his return to June. With a decision now set for the coming days, that schedule is expected to hold.
A fight announcement should follow quickly once the selection is made, ending 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
