Terence Crawford has criticised Josh Kelly as an opponent for Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis, who he believes must prove himself against a higher calibre of fighter.

The American is reportedly in advanced negotiations for a three-belt unification match with Kelly, having dethroned Xander Zayas with a seventh-round stoppage in June.

In doing so, Ennis became a two-division unified champion by claiming the WBO and WBA world titles, with many regarding him as the top dog at 154lbs.

Kelly, meanwhile, claimed his IBF belt by dethroning Bakhram Murtazaliev with a majority decision victory in January, before unanimously outpointing Caoimhin Agyarko last month.

It therefore appears likely that the two champions, who are both signed to Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing, will square off towards the end of 2026.

As far as Crawford is concerned, however, Ennis cannot be considered the king of his division until he defeats either WBC champion Sebastian Fundora or top contender Vergil Ortiz Jr.

Speaking with Boots live on DAZN and TNT Sports, the former three-division undisputed champion said this is the only way that the 29-year-old can receive full credit.

“If you step on Fundora, I’ll give you your props. If you step on somebody like Vergil, I’ll give you your props. Josh Kelly [has] already been knocked out by a person that you knocked out [David Avanesyan].”

Kelly did, indeed, get stopped in round six of his encounter with Avanesyan, yet this defeat arrived while the Brit was seemingly struggling to make 147lbs in 2021.

Since then, the 32-year-old has proved himself at world level and can therefore be considered a worthy opponent for Ennis.