Aaron McKenna defeated Etinosa Oliha by unanimous decision at the 3Arena in Dublin to win the vacant IBF middleweight world title on Saturday night. The Irish middleweight secured victory with judge scorecards of 118-110, 117-111, and 116-112 in the main event of Zuffa Boxing 10.
The homecoming contest marked McKenna's first world title fight and his first professional bout in Ireland. McKenna had previously pursued his career across America, building an undefeated professional record while sparring in top gyms around the world.
McKenna entered the ring following a spectacular knockout by his brother Stevie earlier in the evening. The crowd at the 3Arena wildly cheered his entrance to Sinead O'Connor's "The Foggy Dew" and Faithless' "Insomnia," causing the floor to almost rumble.
Early rounds and exchange of hooks
Despite the emotional atmosphere, McKenna started the fight calmly on the front foot, feinting to control the distance. As the previously unbeaten Italian stepped toward him, McKenna timed a left hook and flicked out his jab.
Working with quick hands, McKenna landed a right hand and followed a left hook with a cross. Oliha responded in the second round by landing right hooks that McKenna felt, proving he could launch dangerous attacks of his own.
McKenna pushed forward in the middle rounds, stifling his long-range work to physically force Oliha back. A reaching right hand from McKenna drew loud roars from the Dublin crowd.
Mid-fight tactics and ninth round pressure
As the fight reached its second half, McKenna adjusted his movement on his toes, darting back to strike Oliha's head with left hooks. When Oliha attempted to rip hooks in return, McKenna forced him to the ropes and landed a heavy left hook.
McKenna imposed his rhythm again in the ninth round, though Oliha showed resilience and refused to yield. In the 10th round, McKenna circled out while firing double jabs, but Oliha caught the Irishman with a flurry during a grapple in the clinch.
McKenna created space with a cross to the chin and landed thudding right hooks to Oliha's body. Oliha opened the 11th round by charging out of his corner with a long one-two combination.
Late clash and final round control
McKenna answered with cleaner work, connecting with a left uppercut off his jab before Oliha countered with an inside right hook. McKenna maintained a higher punch volume, but a clash of heads left him cut on the forehead shortly before the end of the 11th round.
Relying on a heavy right hook to answer the cut, McKenna controlled the 12th round without taking unnecessary risks. Moving sharply, he struck an increasingly desperate Oliha with jabs as spectators stood, cheered, and chanted his name.
McKenna scored with an uppercut, and although Oliha landed a right hand, McKenna absorbed the blows without being shaken. Upon hearing the final bell, McKenna rushed to his corner post and climbed the ropes to celebrate.
Post-fight declaration and reaction
The arena erupted in deafening cheers when the ring announcer declared McKenna, from Monaghan, the winner by unanimous decision. The victory brought his long pursuit of a world title in his home country to a successful conclusion.
McKenna reflected on his journey after the fight, thanking Zuffa Boxing for bringing a fight back to Ireland. "A new world champion. I've been saying it for years. A big thank you to Zuffa Boxing for giving me this platform and bringing a fight back to Ireland for me," McKenna said.
He expressed gratitude to the fans and acknowledged his long wait to fight at home. "I've been a professional for nine years and never got the chance to fight in Ireland. Why? Just look at these beautiful fans," McKenna said. "I never lost discipline in training. There were times when I wondered whether I'd ever get the chance."
McKenna also paid tribute to his father and trainer. "My dad sacrificed his whole life for me and my brother, dedicating everything to helping us chase our dreams. Finally, I've got my hands on this," he said.
