Aaron McKenna, the newly crowned world champion, is only at the beginning of what he envisions as a dominant run in the middleweight ranks. After clinching the IBF middleweight crown by out‑boxing Etinosa Oliha in a thrilling showdown at Dublin’s 3Arena, McKenna made it clear that his ambitions stretch far beyond a single belt.
He wants to step into the legacy left by the likes of Canelo Álvarez and Gennadiy "GGG" Golovkin, and to become the undisputed king of the 160‑pound division. In the immediate aftermath of his victory, McKenna outlined a target list that reads like a who's‑who of current champions.
The WBO title is held by Denzel Bentley, the WBC by Carlos Adames, and the WBA by Erislandy Lara. McKenna issued an open challenge to each of them, insisting that the best middleweights should be forced to face one another in the ring.
"It doesn’t matter who steps up next, anyone who wants it can have it," he told Sky Sports. "I’m easy to find now – I’ve got a belt, there’s no hiding any longer.
I want to collect every single belt in boxing. I’m the best middleweight and super‑middleweight in the world, and I’m not afraid to move up if needed." His confidence stems from a lifelong dream. "I’ve been thinking about this moment since I was six years old," McKenna reflected, emphasizing the perseverance that carried him through years of training and setbacks. "It just goes to show, don’t give up, always stay true to yourself.
You can do anything if you stay committed." The Irish fighter also spoke about the state of the division. For several years, the middleweight class has seemed to languish after the departures of Golovkin and Canelo, both of whom elevated the weight class with high‑profile fights and unification bouts.
"The middleweight division’s there to be taken over," McKenna declared at his post‑fight press conference. "It’s been dying for years since GGG and Canelo left it. I said it a year ago – I think I’m going to be the man to take it over." McKenna’s determination is not merely rhetorical. He wants to force the sport’s governing bodies to line up unification fights, arguing that the current fragmentation of titles has left the division in a state of chaos.
"No one really believed me until you put in performances like that and then they start listening," he said. "In life you’ve got to prove yourself sometimes. Tonight I’ve done that. I just hope one of the other world champions will accept a fight so we can clean up this mess of a division." He also promised that no opponent would be off‑limits.
"Anyone. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – I will literally fight anyone out there," McKenna asserted. "I just want to unify, whatever it takes, prove I’m the best in the world. That’s the sport of boxing.
Look back at the 80s and 90s – they all fought each other." McKenna believes his rise is part of a broader shift in the sport’s promotion landscape. He praised Zuffa Boxing, noting that the organization’s approach encourages fighters to seek each other out rather than hide behind promotional politics.
"This is exactly why Zuffa Boxing’s going to be the future. It’s already taking over. Everybody’s fighting each other, there’s no more hiding," he added. For now, the Irish champion can savor the moment that has been twenty‑one years in the making.
"I don’t know how long this is going to take for this to sink in that I’ve finally become world champion," McKenna said, his voice tinged with disbelief. "I’ve been dreaming of this. For it to happen now, honestly it’s literally unbelievable.
I can’t describe it." Looking ahead, McKenna’s roadmap includes not only unifying the middleweight titles but also testing himself at super‑middleweight. He has hinted that a jump in weight would not deter him from his quest for greatness; instead, it would add another layer to his legacy. "I don’t mind jumping up," he repeated, underscoring his willingness to challenge any champion, regardless of the division.
In the weeks to come, fans can expect McKenna to negotiate with the holders of the WBO, WBC, and WBA belts, while promoters scramble to arrange the logistics of a potential megafight. If he succeeds, the middleweight division could finally regain the spotlight it once enjoyed during the Golovkin‑Canelo era. Until then, McKenna remains focused, training relentlessly and keeping his eyes on the ultimate prize: a fully unified middleweight crown and a place among the sport’s all‑time greats.