Irish middleweight Aaron McKenna fights Etinosa Oliha for the IBF middleweight world title at Dublin's 3Arena on Saturday. The contest headlines Zuffa Boxing 10 in front of his home fans and will air live on Sky Sports. McKenna aims to win his first world championship before expanding his targets far beyond the 160-pound division.
The boxer plans to unify the middleweight weight class, achieve undisputed status, and eventually end his career in the heavyweight division. Despite currently competing as a tall 160-pound fighter, McKenna believes his body can easily fill out over time.
McKenna noted that his height and reach provide room for physical growth. "That's something we talked about a lot, finishing up at heavyweight. I'm six foot three now and I have a very long reach as well. My body's the type of body that could fill out easily enough as well weight-wise," McKenna told Sky Sports.
Heavyweight division plans
Once he completes his goals at 160 pounds, McKenna intends to move to 168 pounds and then 175 pounds before making a move to heavyweight. He stated that he plans to have at least one fight in the heavyweight division before concluding his career.
"Once I'm done at 160lbs, take over 168 and then 175. But by the time I finish out, I plan to have at least one fight at heavyweight," McKenna said. He added that modern heavyweights can be beaten with movement: "In the heavyweight division now, sometimes it just takes good footwork and boxing to beat them. It's different from the heavyweights back in the day."
McKenna expressed strong confidence ahead of his immediate test against Oliha, a dangerous opponent who enters the bout with an undefeated 22-0 record. McKenna described Oliha as a strong and game fighter who will give his all for a world title, but insisted he is prepared for any fighting style.
"He's a very good fighter, 22-0, strong, he'll be game and any man that's fighting for world titles is going to be giving it their all," McKenna said. "I know what I have to do. I'm more than ready for it. It doesn't matter what he brings, whether he comes forward, whether he goes back, I'm ready for everything. 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."
Middleweight rivals and targets
McKenna said he wants to bring big-time boxing back to the middleweight division, which he believes has been dying for years. He identified Canelo Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin, known as GGG, as the last two major fighters in the weight class.
He explained his ambition to revitalize the 160-pound weight class. "The middleweight division, it's been dying for years now. The last two big fighters in it were Canelo and GGG [Gennady Golovkin], so I kind of want to bring big-time boxing in the middleweight division and bring it back to life," McKenna declared.
He has targeted WBC middleweight titlist Carlos Adames, recalling previous sparring sessions at Robert Garcia's gym in 2019 when McKenna was 19 and Adames was in his mid-20s. McKenna said he had no problems during those rounds and noted that Adames does not like pressure fighting.
"I've done a lot of sparring with [Adames] back in Robert Garcia's gym back in 2019. I was 19 at the time and he was mid-20s. I had no problem with him," McKenna said. "He doesn't like my style of fighting. When you put it on him, he kind of doesn't like that sort of stuff."
Potential British showdown
McKenna also targeted new WBO belt-holder Denzel Bentley as part of his plan to unify the division. "Bentley would be another good fight. He's a world champion now, so if he wants to take the fight, I'd definitely take it because the name of the game is to unify, become the best in the division," McKenna said. "But all I'm focused on right now is this Saturday. I have a job to do with Oliha and that's becoming world champion and I will become world champion."
McKenna's manager, Mike Borao, confirmed that the immediate focus is Saturday's fight against Oliha before mapping out future plans. However, Borao called a fight with Bentley an intriguing possibility that would create an exciting Ireland versus UK showdown for fans.
"Obviously the focus right now is squarely on this Saturday for Aaron McKenna - he has to get past Etinosa Oliha first before anyone starts mapping out the future," Borao said. "That said, Denzel Bentley is a very intriguing possibility. Aaron is the type of fighter who goes out there and delivers for the fans, and few things light up a boxing crowd quite like a proper Ireland vs UK showdown."
Mandatory contenders and outside connections
Borao noted that Bentley faces a tough mandatory challenger in Yoenli Hernandez. Despite potential obstacles, Borao stated that McKenna has an exciting future with endless possibilities on Zuffa Boxing.
"Bentley does have a tough mandatory in Yoenli Hernandez waiting in the wings, though, so it will be interesting to see how things develop," Borao said. "In any event, Aaron McKenna has a very exciting future with endless possibilities on Zuffa Boxing."
Outside boxing, McKenna also mentioned an unlikely friendship with music artist Kendrick Lamar. The two met during a training session alongside McKenna's brother.
