McKenna Names Eight Potential Opponents After IBF Win

Aaron McKenna claimed the IBF middleweight title in Dublin on Saturday night and immediately set his sights on unifying the division's four fractured belts.

The Monaghan native, who fights under the Zuffa Boxing banner, told reporters he wants to clean up what he described as a mess at 160 pounds, according to The Ring. McKenna suggested he would even consider jumping to super middleweight if he cannot land the sort of opponent he craves.

🎟️ Get tickets: Buy tickets to Zuffa Boxing 11 on Ticketmaster →

McKenna's Options Range From Mandatory To Fantasy

Per The Ring's analysis, McKenna could be forced to face IBF mandatory challenger Amari Jones, an undefeated 24-year-old with 15 knockouts in 17 fights. Jones stopped Vincenzo Gualtieri in three rounds in May to cement his number-one position. McKenna might sidestep Jones if Zuffa secures a unification, or could relinquish the belt rather than defend against him.

Chris Eubank Jr remains in the mix despite his poor showing against Conor Benn in November. McKenna has already talked up the prospect of facing the 36-year-old, whose father lost two world title fights in Ireland during 1995. The question is whether Eubank Jr can safely make middleweight again.

🎟️ Get tickets: Buy tickets to Zuffa Boxing 11 on Ticketmaster →

McKenna has made no secret of wanting to become Ireland's first Ring Magazine champion, a path that would likely run through Carlos Adames, who holds the number-one ranking. The Dominican has sparred many rounds with McKenna, who believes Adames is running scared as a result. WBA titleholder Erislandy Lara, 43, and WBO champion Denzel Bentley also represent potential unification targets.

McKenna even floated the idea of a crossover bout with UFC star Conor McGregor. Footage from 2018 recently resurfaced showing a teenage McKenna calling out McGregor for an Irish title fight. "Conor McGregor, if he got the opportunity to fight for the middleweight world title, I couldn't see him turning it down," McKenna told The Ring in June. "That's a massive fight to have in Ireland."

McKenna's first defense is expected to land before the end of 2026.

Source: ringmagazine.com