Callum Walsh has ruled out a fight against Stephen McKenna, stating an all-Irish clash only makes sense if a world title is at stake.
The unbeaten 25-year-old middleweight, who holds a 16-0 record with 11 knockouts, faces former European champion Tyler Denny this Saturday at the 3Arena in Dublin. The bout takes place on the undercard of Zuffa Boxing 10, live on Sky Sports.
Stephen McKenna holds a 16-1 record with 15 knockouts and has identified Walsh as a potential future opponent. He vowed to dominate as a world champion and expressed determination to secure an all-Ireland clash with Walsh if both fighters win their matches this weekend.
Stephen McKenna faces Owen O'Neill over eight rounds on Saturday's card. After his fight, he will work the corner for his younger brother, Aaron McKenna, who is competing for a world title.
World Title Ambitions and Fight Logic
Responding to Stephen McKenna's challenge, Walsh told Sky Sports that he believes he is already at another level. He insisted he has no interest in facing a fighter coming off a defeat when world title opportunities exist elsewhere.
"If there's anyone that I'm looking at, it would be the fella with the world title, not the fella with the loss," Walsh said. "In my mind, it doesn't make sense unless it's for a world title. There are bigger names than Stevie McKenna calling me out."
Walsh pointed to Shane Mosley Jr as a bigger fight than Stephen McKenna. He explained that if he were to fight either brother, he would target Aaron McKenna for the championship.
Walsh believes an all-Irish fight without a world title on the line could needlessly damage the momentum middleweights are building in Ireland. He noted that three Irish fighters are currently signed to Zuffa Boxing.
"It's a big time for Irish boxing," Walsh said. "As an Irish fighter from such a small place, there are three of us now in Zuffa Boxing. Why would we want to eliminate each other unless it's for a world title?"
"If it's for a world title, at least you can get paid for it," Walsh added. "You're going to be able to sell out an arena and put on a big show for everyone involved. Why have an all-Irish fight on an undercard somewhere when it doesn't make sense?"
"It makes sense for him," Walsh said. "It makes no sense at all for me. His brother's fighting for the world title. There are bigger names calling me out. I've had bigger fights. It doesn't make any sense."
Unsettled Records and Rematches
Walsh suggested that Stephen McKenna should focus on avenging his sole professional loss instead of looking for a bout with him. Stephen McKenna suffered a majority-decision defeat to Lee Cutler in 2024.
Walsh claimed Stephen McKenna turned down the opportunity for an immediate rematch against Cutler. He urged his rival to resolve that division record first.
"He doesn't even want to fight the fella who beat him," Walsh said. "He was asked if he wanted a rematch and he said no."
"Go back and fight the fella who beat you," Walsh added. "That's the one I'd be looking at if I was him. He's in the same division, the same league, and he's begging for the rematch."
Dublin Return and Main Event Card
Saturday's card marks Walsh's first fight in Dublin since 2024, when he knocked out Przemyslaw Runowski in two rounds. Walsh is relishing the chance to perform in front of his home fans at the 3Arena.
Walsh insisted he is not taking Denny lightly heading into Saturday night. Meanwhile, Denny is confident he can produce an upset victory in Dublin. Their matchup is part of a card featuring six middleweight bouts.
The main event features Aaron McKenna challenging Etinosa Oliha for the IBF world middleweight title. Walsh expects Aaron McKenna to emerge victorious and become Ireland's newest world champion.
"I don't know much about his opponent, to be honest," Walsh said. "I'm sure Aaron will win. I presume he will. It's a big opportunity and a big night for him to go out there, perform and win the world title in Dublin. I think he will."
If Aaron McKenna wins the title, Walsh expressed full willingness to face him in a high-profile all-Irish world championship showdown. However, he emphasized that he will ultimately face whoever his team selects.
"If Aaron wins and they want me to fight him, I'll fight him," Walsh said. "If he doesn't win, maybe I'll fight the other fella. I just fight whoever they tell me to. I'm not out here calling anybody out. It's just the same old habits."
