Eddie Hearn's Matchroom has signed IBF welterweight champion Jarron "Boots" Ennis to a promotion contract. Ennis is 31-0 but is probably the most avoided boxer in the world, with even true world weltereight champion Terence Crawford seemingly unwilling to face him. Ennis has not fought since last July but today, both Matchroom and Matchroom's broadcast partner DAZN, tweeted, "We’re delighted to welcome IBF world welterweight champ Jaron Ennis to the Matchroom Boxing team on a multi-fight deal in partnership with Boots Promotions and DAZN Boxing."

Hearn himself added, "Welcome to the team, pound-for-pound greatness awaits."

Ennis was previously promoted by Cameron Dunkin's Now Boxing Promotions. Dunkin recently died, leaving Ennis' status uncertain. He filed a lawsuit to clear up his legal rights, but he dismissed it on March 26th, apparently becuase Now Boxing Promotions either no longer exists or did not contest Ennis' right to sign with Matchroom.
 
PRIOR BOXINGTALK COVERAGE

FEB. 13, 2024: In a lawsuit filed last week in federal court in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, IBF welterweight champion Jaron "Boots" Ennis has sued Now Boxing Promotions. The filing comes just weeks after the death of Now Boxing's principal, Cameron Dunkin. Ennis seeks a ruling declaring that an Exclusive Promotional Rights Agreement ("the “Agreement”), entered into between himself and Now Boxing "is void ab initio and unenforceable because it is illusory and lacks mutuality of obligation by virtue of various clauses which do not provide specifics with respect to the amount which Now Boxing is obligated to pay Ennis for his participation in professional boxing matches." Ennis also seeks an injunction prohibiting Now Boxing from taking any steps to enforce the Agreement or preventing Ennis from engaging in professional boxing matches. Additionally, Ennis seeks damages for injuries suffered as a result of Defendant’s breach of the Agreement.

[According to Ennis], the Agreement provided that  Now Boxing was responsible for providing Ennis the opportunity to participate in 14 professional boxing matches between January 23, 2019 and May 2023.  Now Boxing, however, only offered Ennis the opportunity to participate in 9 boxing matches during that period of time. "As a consequence, thereof Ennis has not been compensated for his participation in those bouts and consequently Now Boxing is liable to Ennis for the amount Ennis should have received for his participation in those bouts as well as for the amounts which Ennis would have earned from ancillary opportunities which would have arisen had he been given an opportunity to participate in those bouts."

The lawsuit further alleges that Dunkin died on January 2nd and on January 15th, an attorney forwarded a letter to Ennis advising him that Kellie Dunkin (Cameron Dunkin’s widow) has taken over the promotion of Ennis' career pursuant to a trust dated July 27, 2023. To date Now Boxing has not advised Ennis whether Ms. Dunkin or Now Boxing itself is a licensed Promoter. Ms. Dunkin has absolutely no experience promoting professional boxing events."

Ennis' last bout took place on July 8, 2023 and, according to the lawsuit, Now Boxing has failed to offer any bouts since that date.