Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis put in a performance of the year candidate to become a unified super-welterweight world champion last month. Now, the Philadelphian is being linked to a host of major fights in the 154lb division, but promoter Eddie Hearn believes that there is one clear frontrunner.

Ennis dethroned Xander Zayas in style, halting the Puerto Rican inside six rounds to capture the WBA and WBO super-welterweight marbles and announce himself as the man to beat in the super-welterweight scene.

Since then, Ennis has been mentioned for meetings with WBC world champion, Sebastian Fundora, and long-term rival, Vergil Ortiz Jnr – who is yet to fight since November due to an ongoing lawsuit with Golden Boy Promotions.

Although, Fundora is now expected to take on mandatory challenger, Ermal Hadribeaj, who claimed the WBC Silver title by outpointing Bakary Samake in May.

However, one man that will presumably be available is IBF world titleholder, Josh Kelly, who is also promoted by Hearn. Speaking to iFL TVHearn unveiled that there is a ‘very good chance that Kelly will fight Ennis in November’, if he successfully retains his belt in a well-rumoured maiden title defence later this month.

“Boots wants all of the belts, he is desperate to become undisputed. Josh Kelly is fighting [on the Anthony Joshua undercard]I know it’s the worst kept secret in the world, there will be an undercard announcement soon.”

“When he [Kelly] comes through that fight, there is a very good chance that Josh Kelly will fight Boots in November. Yes, [in America].”

It is understood that Kelly will face off with Belfast’s Caoimhin Agyarko on the Joshua-Prenga undercard on Saturday, July 25, with a victory seemingly teeing up a major unification affair between he and Ennis, which would likely take place in Philadelphia.

Peter Fury has helped develop some of boxing’s biggest names over the last two decades, and the veteran trainer believes another member of the Fury family has all the attributes needed to reach the top.

Known for guiding nephew Tyson Fury to his famous victory over Wladimir Klitschko and the unified heavyweight championship in 2015, Peter has also enjoyed success with son Hughie Fury and former undisputed super-middleweight champion Savannah Marshall. More recently, he earned widespread praise for his work with Dutch kickboxing star Rico Verhoeven, who gave Oleksandr Usyk a competitive night’s work in last month’s heavyweight world title challenge.

Now, Peter’s attention has turned to another nephew, James Dean Fury, who recently announced his decision to join the professional ranks.

A multiple-time national amateur champion and cousin of former heavyweight king Tyson Fury, James Dean has made no secret of his ambitions after signing with BOXXER.

Speaking to Boxing King Media following the announcement of his professional move, the young heavyweight said he has no doubts about where he can eventually reach.

“At the minute, all that I want to do is get to the best version of myself and achieve my dream of becoming a world champion and whoever that may be, at the time, will get it for sure. I believe in my own self, I believe that I am the best in the world and all I need is the experience and the rounds and then I will definitely get there, for sure.”

Peter Fury is equally convinced. Speaking to About Boxingthe respected trainer admitted he is especially motivated by the opportunity to guide another member of his family to world honours.

“I’m really excited about him because he is as good as he speaks, if he wasn’t, he wouldn’t be with me. He has been with me from a child, he is close to me, I look at him like he is my boy, like he is my son. I’ve got a vested interest in him because he is my boy, isn’t he? He is my brother’s son and I have had him from a baby.

“So there is a big reward for me to see this young kid strive to the top – and he will. He will because I will make it that way and, if I have got anything to do with it, he will. Believe me, he is a talent.”

Having already signed promotional terms with BOXXER, James Dean Fury is now expected to learn the date and venue of his professional debut in the near future, with an official announcement anticipated soon.

“I elevated him to number seven in my pound-for-pound list,” Davies said. “I think he against Terence Crawford now, a returning Terence Crawford, would be a magnificent event. Turki Alalshikh, please, inshallah.”

Ennis stopped Zayas in seven rounds on June 27 to add the WBC and WBO junior middleweight titles to the IBF belt he already held. The dominant performance strengthened his position near the top of the 154-pound division and sparked discussion about potential fights with the sport’s biggest names.

While Crawford topped Davies’ wishlist, he also pointed to other options if the former four-division world champion remains retired.

“Boots against Josh Kelly would be good in the UK. It’d be good to bring him to the UK and obviously against Vergil Ortiz would be good as well,” Davies added.

A fight between Ennis and Crawford has long intrigued boxing fans because of the contrast between Crawford’s experience and accomplishments and Ennis’ emergence as one of the sport’s top pound-for-pound fighters. However, Crawford has repeatedly stated since defeating Canelo Alvarez that he has accomplished everything he wanted in boxing and has no immediate plans to return.

Unless Crawford changes his mind, Ennis is expected to pursue another marquee fight at 154 pounds, with Vergil Ortiz Jr. and Sebastian Fundora among the leading names who have been mentioned as potential opponents.