Britain's Kelly to face Ennis in February unification bout

Britain's Josh Kelly will fight Jaron Ennis in a light-middleweight unification bout on 27 February in Atlanta.

Kelly, 32, holds the IBF world title and challenges American Ennis for the WBA and WBO belts.

Ennis is unbeaten in 37 fights with one no-contest, while Sunderland's Kelly is on a nine-fight winning streak that includes him capturing his maiden world title in January.

Kelly will be the underdog against 29-year-old Ennis, who became a two-weight world champion when he beat Xander Zayas in June.

"I've waited a very long time to prove myself at the highest level, finally I have that moment," said Kelly.

Kelly represented Team GB at the 2016 Olympics, but his professional career was derailed by a loss to David Avanesyan in 2021.

The Englishman slowly rebuilt and recovered from being knocked down to beat Russian Bakhram Murtazaliev in their world title fight at the start of the year.

He then outpointed Northern Irishman Caoimhin Agyarko in his first defence in July.

The winner of Ennis v Kelly will hold three world titles, with Sebastian Fundora holding the WBC belt.

Eddie Hearn promotes both fighters and says the victor will "lay the foundations to a legacy in the sport".

There has not been an undisputed champion at light-middleweight since Jermell Charlo achieved the feat in 2022.

"Boots and Josh are both brilliant world champions and this was not a difficult fight to make when you lay out what is there for the winner – three belts around your waist and just one more to collect to become undisputed," added Hearn.