Jaron 'Boots' Ennis signs multi-fight deal with U.K.'s Matchroom

Eddie Hearn and Matchroom just claimed a significant victory.

The U.K.-based promotional company has signed talented 147-pound champion Jaron “Boots” Ennis to a multi-fight deal in partnership with Boots Promotions, Matchroom announced in a news release Wednesday.

Ennis, who had been affiliated with Premier Boxing Champions, is expected to return to the ring in the summer.

The 26-year-old from Philadelphia hasn’t fought since he stopped Roiman Villa in 10 rounds in defense of the IBF “interim” title last July. He was later elevated to full champion after Terence Crawford was stripped of his belt.

Ennis (31-0, 28 KOs) is regarded by many as a potential pound-for-pound king.

“I’m excited for this partnership with Eddie Hearn, Matchroom and DAZN,” Ennis said. “I can’t wait to continue making my mark and becoming undisputed world champion. I’ve been out of the ring for a year, and I cannot wait to get back in and do what I do best: entertain the fans and put on clinics.

“There are blockbuster fights on the horizon for me, and I am ready to deliver them.”

Said Hearn, Matchroom Sport chairman: “Wow! What a signing! I’ve watched this young man for many years, and I always believed he would become a pound-for-pound great, and I have no doubt he is already the greatest fighter in the division. To win the race to sign Jaron is a massive coup for Matchroom Boxing and DAZN.

“Holding the IBF title in one of boxing’s glamour divisions places Jaron front and center for some of the biggest fights out there in the sport, and we plan to deliver them for him. Jaron has everything needed to become a household name both in the sport and in the sporting hotbed of his Philadelphia hometown, where we are committed to building him.

“Fight fans can get excited for his return in the summer as he looks to hunt down the biggest fights that will elevate him to the pound-for-pound list.”

Neither Hearn nor Ennis hinted at who he might face under his new contract but his most compelling potential opponent is contender Conor Benn, who also is affiliated with Matchroom. Ennis vs. Benn (23-0, 14 KOs) would be a significant fight in the U.K.