Latest news with #InternationalMiddleweight
Irish Daily Mirror
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Barry McGuigan hails 'impressive' Aaron McKenna as he sends message to boxer
Barry McGuigan was impressed by Aaron McKenna's performance against Liam Smith last month and believes the 25-year-old has a massive future ahead of him. 'The Silencer' recorded the biggest victory of his career so far after knocking Smith down on his way to a unanimous decision victory on the huge Chris Eubank Jr v Conor Benn card in London. McKenna dominated the 12-round contest against the former WBO world light-middleweight champion, knocking the Liverpool veteran down with a lovely body shot in the final round. "Aaron McKenna is a very impressive young man, McGuigan told the Irish Mirror via Betway. "He produced a very impressive performance against Liam Smith. He's not really a puncher but more of a boxer. He can switch southpaw to orthodox and it was a really good performance. "That left hook to the body in the 12th round was a fantastic shot and it was how I took most of my opponents out with the left hook to the body. He continued: "I like Aaron's progress, the way he is developing and getting better. I wish him the best of luck." McKenna won the WBA International Middleweight belt by beating Smith and McGuigan is backing him to follow in his footsteps by becoming another Monaghan man to fight for a world title. Echoing the words of McKenna, the former WBA featherweight world champion and boxing 'hall of famer' believes there is plenty more to come from the Smithborough man. "I think Aaron is definitely going to fight at world level," added the Clones Cyclone. "Erislandy Lara, Janibek Alimkhanuly and Carlos Adames are the champions. "Aaron has to develop a little bit more before he fights for a world title and with the greatest respect, Liam Smith is a junior middleweight, he needs a fully-fledged middleweight who is going to test him. "There's a way of how you develop and bring guys through. You start off with guys who are not so good and as they get better, you take guys on who are not as tired and are more of a challenge and test. Aaron still has to have that acid test. "He needs another half a dozen fights or maybe four or five fights before he fights for a world title, but he is impressive, and I was hugely impressed with his performance and congratulations to him and his dad. "Aaron did what I thought he would do. He's a good puncher but not a knockout artist but he is getting better and developing. "Development and confidence is about becoming more reassured with punching range and learning how to slip and slide. "Aaron was moving his head around very well and I loved the way he was switching from southpaw to orthodox, the way he was moving his upper body and landing those body shots. "Liam Smith is a former light middleweight champion, so I expected it to go the distance but very impressed with his performance. "He looks huge for the weight so I think inevitably he moves to 168lbs but does he do that before he fights for a world title? He is 25 so is still in development."
Irish Daily Mirror
26-04-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
What time and TV channel is Liam Smith v Aaron McKenna on tonight?
Aaron McKenna puts his undefeated record on the line in the toughest test of his career to date when he faces Liam Smith. The middleweight bout comes on the Chris Eubank Jr v Conor Benn card at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in North London. McKenna's record stands at 19-0, with 10 KOs, but former world champion Smith is a big step up in opponent for 'The Silencer'. However, the Liverpool native (33-4-1) has been out of the ring since he was stopped by Eubank Jr in the tenth round of their rematch in September 2023, eight months after Smith knocked him out in Manchester. And McKenna, who is the favourite with the bookies to emerge victorious, is very confident that he will have his hand raised in victory. A win for the Smithborough man would open up a lot of opportunities and very much be life changing. It would also see him crowned the WBA International Middleweight champion. Here's what you need to know: The fight takes place on the Chris Eubank Jr v Conor Benn card at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in North London on Saturday, April 26. The first fight of the night is scheduled to start at 5.20pm, with McKenna's bout with Smith the third fight on the card. It is likely to start at some time after 7pm. DAZN PPV will show the event live around the world, while Sky Sports Box Office will broadcast the action live in Ireland and the UK. It costs €24.95 in Ireland and £19.95 in the UK. Aaron McKenna: "I understand there is a lot of people saying this is too soon for me, it's too early and I'm too young. I don't have the experience but it's my time to show everyone that all the training, all the hard work, all the experience I've had through the years will pay off. On Saturday night I look forward to it. "I want to beat the beat version of Liam Smith and I do expect the best version of Liam Smith to turn up. I want the one that knocked out Chris Eubank. I believe that's the one that his coming. It was only two fights ago that he knocked out Chris Eubank Jr in devastating fashion. That's the one I do hope that shows up." Liam Smith: "I've had a tough 12 months. 18 months since I lost to Chris. Getting injured after it, falling ill for the huge September card at Wembley. It's good to be back. It's good to be back fit and healthy, back in shape. I'm looking forward to this. The best Liam Smith turns up, Aaron McKenna is made for me. That's the one I fully intent to turn up. "Him and his brother, they're kind of the same thing. They're game. They're very hungry, enthusiastic kids. I also feel that's going to be Aaron's downfall." Aaron McKenna win: 4/6 Liam Smith win: 11/8 Draw: 14/1
