McKenna captures IBF middleweight title in Dublin

Aaron McKenna won the IBF world middleweight title with a unanimous decision over previously unbeaten Etinosa Oliha in a 12-round bout at Dublin's 3Arena, according to BBC Sport. The judges scored the fight 118-110, 117-111, and 116-112 in McKenna's favor.

The 27-year-old from Monaghan extended his professional record to 21-0, marking a significant milestone: his first professional fight on Irish soil after nine years as a professional. Oliha, an Italian boxer who entered the contest previously unbeaten, fell to a record of 22-1.

Oliha applied pressure in the opening rounds and had particular success in the second round, per BBC Sport's reporting. McKenna gradually established control, repeatedly landing his jab and uppercut while using his range to avoid Oliha's heavier attacks. A clash of heads left McKenna bleeding in the 11th round, though it did not affect the decision.

After the fight, McKenna told Sky Sports: "A new world champion. I said it for years. 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." On his opponent's performance, McKenna said: "Oliha was definitely strong. I made it harder than it should have been, but I got the job done."

Regarding potential next opponents, McKenna stated: "It doesn't matter, 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."

The card in Dublin featured other Irish victories. In the co-main event, Cork native Callum Walsh defeated former European champion Tyler Denny by decision after 10 rounds, extending Walsh's unbeaten record to 17-0. Athlone's Joe Ward returned from a two-year absence to defeat previously unbeaten Artjom Kasparian by decision. Stevie McKenna, Aaron's brother, earned a first-round knockout of Belfast's Owen O'Neill in a middleweight contest, dropping O'Neill with a powerful right hand just over a minute into the fight. Irish boxers completed a clean sweep of wins on the card.