Josh Kelly Re-Ups With Matchroom, and the IBF Champ Says He Only Wants Unifications

Josh Kelly isn't going anywhere.

The IBF super welterweight champion has signed a new multi-fight contract extension with Matchroom Boxing, the promoter announced Tuesday. "PBK RENEWS," was how Matchroom put it on X, promising "more big nights" for the 154-pound titleholder.

Kelly, 32, has had a big year. Back in January, the Sunderland fighter beat Bakhram Murtazaliev by majority decision at Newcastle's Utilita Arena to win the title in front of his own people in the North East. In July he went to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and kept the belt with a 12-round unanimous decision over Caoimhin Agyarko, who was unbeaten coming in. That puts him at 19-1-1 with 9 KOs, per Matchroom.

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He isn't being shy about what comes next. "I'm World Champion and I am very excited about the future with Matchroom Boxing," Kelly said in the release. "Now I only want the biggest fights in the division. Unifications. Bring it on. Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Boxing and DAZN is the only place to be."

Hearn sounded just as ready. "He is an elite operator and one of the pound-for-pound best the UK has to offer," the Matchroom chairman said. "It is no secret that we have some huge plans ahead for Josh in 2027, where he will be aiming to add more World Titles to his collection."

And there's plenty to unify with at 154. Sebastian Fundora kept his WBC title with a last-second stoppage of Ermal Hadribeaj on Saturday. The Ring reported earlier this month that Hearn was in talks about a deal for the winner of a Kelly fight with Jaron Ennis to face Fundora. On Tuesday, BoxingScene reported that Fundora's promoter, Sampson Lewkowicz, wants a 50-50 split for a fight with Ennis. Nothing's been signed on any of it yet, so for now Kelly has a new contract, a belt and a short list.

Kelly's road here was a long one. He boxed for Team GB at the Rio 2016 Olympics, turned pro in 2017 and, working with trainer Adam Booth, picked up the WBA International and Commonwealth welterweight titles in 2018 before winning the British title at 154 against Troy Williamson in December 2022.

Who should Kelly unify with first? Make your case in the Boxbid community. And once his next date is set, don't forget to guess the rounds for free points.

Sources: Matchroom Boxing press release and X post, Oct. 20, 2026 (contract, record, Kelly and Hearn quotes); The Ring, Oct. 12, 2026 (Hearn talks on Ennis-Kelly winner vs. Fundora); BoxingScene, Oct. 20, 2026 (Lewkowicz 50-50 request).