Jaron “Boots” Ennis has signed a long-term multi-fight promotional extension with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing and DAZN.
The Philadelphia star first penned a deal with Hearn in April 2024; Hearn promptly announced a plan for Ennis to become undisputed champion at 147lbs, 154lbs, and 160lbs (Ennis held only the IBF 147lbs title at the time). But in the immediate aftermath, Ennis’ career – one of limitless promise but few defining fights so far – continued to stall.
In July, Ennis stopped David Avanesyan after five rounds, but ate several sharp right hands through uncharacteristically leaky defense. In November, he and Hearn found themselves cornered into a mandated rematch with Karen Chukhadzhian, whom Ennis shut out the year before. Ennis won another wide decision, but looked less impressive than he had in their first fight. The outing sparked a number of theories – a difficult weight cut; a lack of motivation – but everyone could agree that Ennis seemed no closer to landing a big fight than before.
This April, though, Ennis unified the two welterweight titles with a clinical stoppage of WBA champion Eimantas Stanionis. In addition to crowning him the clear 147lbs king, those six violent rounds silenced Ennis’ doubters and generated significant momentum. Ennis, 28, has now moved to 154lbs in search of bigger fights and more titles.
If becoming undisputed champion in three weight divisions is still far off, becoming the lineal king of two might now be within Ennis’ reach.
“Working with Eddie and Matchroom is just a great connection, I love how they’re willing to do whatever it takes to make me a superstar!” said Ennis in a press release. “I’m ready to get going at 154lbs and I am hunting the big names and the belts; now it’s time to shut everybody up!”
“I’m delighted that Jaron has committed himself to Matchroom and DAZN,” said Hearn.
“Since we first started working with him last April, we’ve proved together that he is one of very few fighters in the US that can draw huge crowds in the arena, with the three events we’ve staged with Jaron pulling in well over 30,000 fans at the gate, and that’s added to big numbers on DAZN. I’m so excited to see Boots set about the 154lbs division, where you are going to see a different beast and his full arsenal on display.”
