Jaron Ennis (31-0, 28 KOs) will make his Matchroom Boxing debut in Philadelphia after his new promotional team won the purse bid for his mandated IBF world welterweight title defense against Cody Crowley (22-0, 9 KOs). 

Ennis was unveiled by Matchroom last week and they posted a successful bid of $3.9 million U.S. dollars, compared to TGB Promotions, who submitted a bid of $2 million and had been representing Crowley during the negotiation period. 

The long-running talks between Ennis and Crowley ended after many delays and postponements. The IBF originally ordered the contest and negotiations to begin on January 31. Deadlines came and went to reach an agreement on March 1 and again on 19.

A further deadline of March 26 was also scrapped after TGB Promotions informed the IBF that “both sides reached an agreement” for the fight.

Ultimately, no agreement was reached and IBF champion Ennis decided to ink a multi-fight deal with Matchroom Boxing on April 10. The IBF also set a new date for the IBF purse bid between Ennis and Crowley based on Ennis’s new promotional agreement and arrangements.

Under the IBF rules, the champion is entitled to an 85 per cent split of the purse, which totals $3,323,500. 

Crowley, rated No. 3 is entitled to a purse of $586,500. 

Eddie Hearn, of Matchroom, spoke to their in-house media team and confirmed that he is targeting a possible date for July in Philadelphia. 

“Purse bids were finally called, and we won it [the purse bid],” Hearn said. “We won the big purse bid today, so we are going to bring Boots [Ennis] home to Philadelphia. 

“We are going to have a massive show incoming for Jaron Ennis in Philadelphia in July. It is time to bring this superstar home to his home city.

“There’ll be an announcement very soon about the venue, the confirmed date, and I am absolutely over the moon on being able to deliver that for Jaron.”