British boxer Josh Kelly is targeting a potential title unification bout at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light against undefeated American fighter Jaron “Boots” Ennis. Kelly, a lifelong Sunderland supporter who spent time with the club as a youth, has reportedly engaged in discussions with the Premier League team about hosting the fight as a homecoming event. Promoter Eddie Hearn had initially aimed to schedule the match for June, but Kelly is instead set to defend his IBF super-welterweight world title on Saturday against Caoimhin Agyarko in Saudi Arabia.

Kelly, 32, expressed confidence that a clash with Ennis would draw a full arena. The Philadelphia-born Ennis, 29, currently holds the WBA and WBO super-welterweight championships and maintains an unblemished 36-0 record after a dominant June victory over Xander Zayas. Kelly, who captured his IBF title in January by defeating Russian contender Bakhram Murtazaliev, said the unification fight is “the one” he and Matchroom Boxing are actively pursuing, with talks underway to bring Ennis to the UK.

Reflecting on his rise since becoming world champion, Kelly described a sense of contentment and gratitude. He shared that the achievement has brought a new perspective on life and his career, stating that while he has accomplished much, he remains driven to improve. “Each training camp I’m getting better, and this one’s just another level,” he said.

Kelly’s upcoming defense against Agyarko, an Irish fighter, is not their first encounter; the two athletes have previously sparred, a session that left unresolved tensions. Kelly downplayed Agyarko’s pre-fight remarks, characterizing them as distractions, and emphasized his intent to focus on professionalism and performance. “If I’m who I know I am, before I used to believe it, now I know it,” Kelly said. “I’ll go in there and do a job, I just need to keep myself professional and happy.”

The fight in Saudi Arabia marks a significant step for Kelly as he seeks to consolidate his status in the super-welterweight division and sets the stage for the high-profile unification bout that could follow on home soil later this year.