Aaron McKenna, the newly crowned IBF middleweight champion, is already looking beyond his recent triumph and setting his sights on reshaping the entire division. After a thrilling victory over Etinosa Oliha at Dublin’s 3Arena, the Irish fighter announced that he intends to follow in the footsteps of legends such as Gennadiy "GGG" Golovkin and Canelo Álvarez, aiming to become the dominant force at 160 pounds.
In the post‑fight press conference McKenna laid out a clear roadmap for his next moves. He named the current holders of the other major belts as his primary targets: Denzel Bentley, who carries the WBO title; Carlos Adames, the WBC champion; and Erislandy Lara, who still holds the WBA version. "It doesn’t matter who steps up next – anyone who wants it, I’m ready," McKenna told Sky Sports. "Now that I have a belt, there’s no hiding.
I want to collect every single championship in boxing. I’m the best middleweight and super‑middleweight in the world, and I’m not afraid to move up if needed." The 27‑year‑old’s ambition is not merely to add more silverware to his cabinet; he wants to revive a middleweight division that, in his view, has been in decline since Golovkin and Canelo began to drift toward higher weight classes. "The middleweight division has been waiting for a new era," he said.
"It’s been dying for years after GGG and Canelo left it. I told people a year ago that I’m going to be the man to take it over, and I intend to prove that today." McKenna’s confidence stems from a lifelong dream.
He recalled that he had been visualising this exact moment since he was six years old. "It shows you never give up and always stay true to yourself," he reflected. "If you believe in yourself, you can achieve anything." He also emphasized that his approach is rooted in the classic spirit of boxing, where the best fighters meet in the ring regardless of promotional or organizational barriers.
"Anyone will do – I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I will literally fight anyone out there. My goal is to unify the titles, whatever it takes, and prove I’m the best in the world. That’s what boxing is about.
Look back to the 80s and 90s – the champions fought each other. That’s the model I want to bring back," McKenna declared. The Irish champion also praised his new promotional partner, Zuffa Boxing, for fostering an environment where fighters no longer have to hide behind fragmented negotiations.
"Zuffa Boxing is the future of the sport. It’s already changing the game – everyone is fighting each other, there’s no more hiding," he added. While the road ahead is clearly filled with high‑stakes match‑ups, McKenna allowed himself a moment to savor his achievement. "Twenty‑one years in the making," he said, smiling.
"I still can’t fully grasp that I’m a world champion. It feels surreal, almost unbelievable.
I’ve dreamed of this my whole life, and now it’s finally here." If McKenna’s words are any indication, the next few months will see him actively pursuing unification bouts with Bentley, Adames, and Lara. Each of those champions brings a distinct style – Bentley’s aggressive pressure, Adames’ slick boxing, and Lara’s veteran savvy – which promises a series of compelling match‑ups that could rejuvenate fan interest in the middleweight class. Beyond the immediate opponents, McKenna hinted that he is not averse to testing himself at super‑middleweight if the opportunity arises.
"I don’t mind jumping up," he confirmed. "If the right fight presents itself at 168 pounds, I’ll consider it.
But my primary focus right now is to clean up the middleweight division and put a belt on every shoulder. His confidence is backed by a strong amateur pedigree and a professional record that shows steady progression. Since turning pro, McKenna has built a reputation for disciplined preparation, a high work‑rate, and a willingness to engage in toe‑to‑toe exchanges.
Those attributes, combined with his charismatic personality, have already made him a fan favourite in Ireland and are beginning to attract attention across the broader boxing community. In summary, Aaron McKenna is not content with simply holding a world title; he wants to become the unifying force that restores the middleweight division to its former glory. By targeting the remaining champions, embracing any challenger, and leveraging a forward‑thinking promotional platform, he aims to write the next chapter in the storied history of 160‑pound boxing. The sport’s enthusiasts can expect an exciting series of negotiations and, ultimately, high‑octane fights that could see McKenna either cementing his legacy as a unifier or, at the very least, elevating the profile of the middleweight class for years to come.