Aaron McKenna fights Etinosa Oliha for the vacant IBF world middleweight title at Zuffa Boxing 10 in Dublin on Saturday night. McKenna aims to become Ireland's newest world champion as he headlines the event, which airs live on Sky Sports Action from 7pm and Sky Sports Main Event from 8pm.
Both middleweight boxers enter the world title contest with undefeated records. McKenna holds a 20-0 (10) record, while Italy's Oliha enters at 22-0 (10). McKenna wants to unify at 160lbs before moving on to a heavyweight fight, while also eyeing a world title homecoming and keeping Eubank Jr on his radar after Oliha.
Oliha has vowed to inflict a painful first-career defeat on McKenna in their championship match. "I don't think he can match my work-rate. I'm an all-rounder boxer, so anything he brings is not going to be anything new to me. I will win this fight, and I will hurt him," Oliha told Sky Sports.
Fighter preparations and quotes
Defeat has not crossed the mind of McKenna, who is prepared to secure victory over Oliha by any means necessary. "It doesn't matter what he brings, whether he comes forward, whether he goes back, I'm ready for everything," McKenna said. "I've trained for every style possible my whole life. Whatever he brings, I'm just focused on what I'm doing and what I'm going to do in there."
In the chief support bout, fellow Irish middleweight Callum Walsh resumes his pursuit of major titles against England's Tyler Denny in a 10-round contest. Unbeaten Scottish middleweight Sam Hickey faces the toughest challenge of his young professional career when he meets Brad Axe in an eight-round middleweight contest.
Main card and prelim undercard fights
The main card features Ireland's Joe Ward facing Dutchman Artjom Kasparian in a 10-round light-heavyweight bout. Additionally, Louis Greene of Kent does battle with Romanian Daniel Buciuc in a middleweight contest, with main card action starting live on Sky Sports at 7pm.
Irish representation at middleweight continues on the preliminary undercard with Stevie McKenna and Owen O'Neill fighting each other. Connor Coyle faces American Mark Beuke, while Patrick O'Connor of the United States meets Spain's Juan Manuel Moriel on the free live stream. Boxing fans can watch the event live on Sky Sports or stream the action with no contract on NOW.
