After defeating Xander Zayas to capture the WBA and WBO junior middleweight championships in June, Ennis is no longer chasing opportunities. He has become the man everyone in the division wants to face.

For years, the biggest names had reasons to look elsewhere. Today, there are no excuses. The landscape at 154 pounds is remarkably clear.

Three opponents stand above the rest, and each offers Ennis a completely different championship reward. There isn’t a wrong choice.

If Ennis wants to continue collecting championships, Josh Kelly is the next logical step.

Kelly enters as the IBF junior middleweight champion, completing a remarkable career resurgence after years of rebuilding his reputation. Once viewed as a talented prospect searching for consistency, the Sunderland, England native has transformed himself into a legitimate world champion.

Kelly saw action last month in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where he dug deep to clinch a decision over undefeated mandatory challenger Caoimhin Agyarko.

For Ennis, the objective is simple – defeat Kelly and add the IBF title to his WBA and WBO championships.

That would leave him holding three of boxing’s four major world titles, while placing himself one victory away from complete divisional supremacy.

Just as important, Kelly brings commercial value. A fight in Britain could sell out a stadium and further establish Ennis overseas. Kelly has openly welcomed the fight, and a showdown in England could become one of the country’s biggest boxing events of the year. A stadium atmosphere, another world championship, and the chance to further expand Ennis' international profile make it an attractive option.

It may not be the matchup fans demand most, but championships still matter. And adding the IBF belt would move Ennis one giant step closer to history.

If Kelly moves Ennis closer to the summit, Sebastian Fundora sits at the very top.

Fundora’s combination of size, volume and willingness to fight inside makes him one of the division’s toughest assignments.

Stylistically, this may be the most intriguing matchup in the division.

Standing nearly 6-foot-6, Fundora remains unlike anyone else in the sport. His height and reach create obvious advantages, yet he consistently chooses to fight on the inside, producing entertaining battles against virtually every opponent.

Ennis would enter with superior speed and athleticism. Fundora would bring awkwardness, size and championship experience. The winner would walk away with more than another belt. If Kelly and Fundora present different paths to undisputed status, Vergil Ortiz offers something many fighters value just as highly. The opportunity to become The Ring champion.

With Ennis currently ranked No. 1 and Ortiz No. 2 by The Ring at junior middleweight, a showdown between the unbeaten stars would be contested for the vacant Ring title.

Unlike sanctioning body titles, The Ring belt has long represented recognition as the division’s true champion. It is awarded only when the top contenders face one another, making it one of boxing’s most respected honors.

Stylistically, it may also be the single best fight that can be made at 154 pounds.

Ortiz applies relentless pressure, throws every punch with bad intentions and rarely takes a backward step. Ennis possesses one of boxing’s deepest offensive arsenals. He can switch stances seamlessly, control distance with his jab, counter with precision or engage in exchanges when necessary.

Neither man has shown much interest in avoiding difficult fights. Neither has ever lacked confidence.

Some fights require elaborate promotion, but this isn’t one of them.

The winner wouldn’t leave with another sanctioning body championship. He would leave with The Ring title and, perhaps more importantly, the recognition that comes with defeating the best available opponent in the division.

Few champions enjoy this kind of luxury. Every direction Jaron Ennis turns leads to a defining fight.

Kelly offers the IBF strap and the opportunity for Ennis to expand international profile. Fundora holds the WBC championship, and the potential clash is an obvious action fight for pay-per-view. Ortiz is a road to the vacant Ring championship in what could become the most anticipated fight at junior middleweight and one of the most intriguing fights in the sport.

There isn’t a bad decision among the three. In fact, the ideal scenario isn’t choosing between them. It’s fighting all of them.