Irish boxer Aaron McKenna claimed the vacant IBF world middleweight title with a unanimous decision victory over Etinosa Oliha at the 3Arena in Dublin, extending his professional record to 21-0 and becoming one of the island’s reigning world champions.
Aaron McKenna delivered a composed, disciplined performance in front of a partisan home crowd in Dublin, overcoming a determined challenge from Italy’s Etinosa Oliha to secure the vacant IBF belt at the 3Arena. Fighting on Irish soil for the first time in his professional career, the Monaghan native weathered early pressure before establishing control through his jab and inside work.
Scorecards and Championship Stakes at Zuffa Boxing 10
The judges scored the bout 118-110, 117-111, and 116-112 in favor of McKenna, handing Oliha his first professional defeat in 23 outings. The IBF middleweight crown had remained vacant since 2025, when the sanctioning body stripped Janibek Alimkhanuly following a drug test failure.
Since I was six years old, I thought about this moment my whole life, so for it to finally happen at 27, it goes to show everyone, don't give up, always stay true to yourself, and you can do anything. Sky Sports
Tactical Breakdown and Ring Dynamics
Oliha opened the contest aggressively, testing McKenna on the back foot during a cagey first round and finding particular success in the second. As the fight progressed into the middle frames, McKenna began using his size to muscle the Italian challenger, digging into the body and wearing down his opponent’s defenses.
A clash of heads in the 11th round left McKenna bleeding, but the newly crowned champion maintained his composure and answered with clean combinations. Oliha pressed forward seeking a late stoppage in the final round, yet McKenna’s lateral movement and consistent jab effectively neutralized the late surge.
Oliha was definitely strong. I made it harder than it should have been, but I got the job done.
Undercard Results Highlighted by Walsh and Ward Victories
The supporting bouts delivered high drama across the Dublin card. In the co-main event, Cork’s Callum Walsh earned a unanimous decision win over England’s Tyler Denny on scores of 98-91, 98-91, and 96-90. Both fighters weathered early knockdowns after Walsh suffered an unusual late knockdown in the opening round before returning fire with a strong left hand in the second.
Amateur standout Joe Ward also secured a grueling decision victory over the previously unbeaten Artjom Kasparian in a hard-fought light-heavyweight ten-rounder, while Stevie McKenna opened the evening with a first-round knockout victory.
Future Plans for the New Middleweight Champion
With his professional record advanced to 21-0, McKenna joins Katie Taylor and featherweight Anthony Cacace as an active boxing world champion from Ireland. Looking ahead, the newly crowned titleholder indicated he is ready to face any challenger and expressed ambitions to collect every belt in boxing or move up in weight.
It doesn't matter [who's next], anyone. I'm easy to find now that I have a belt. I want to collect every belt in boxing. I'm the best middleweight in the world, and super-middleweight; I don't mind jumping up either.
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