Monaghan's Aaron McKenna gives masterclass to win world middleweight title

McKenna defeated Italian Etinosa Oliha by unanimous decision at the 3Arena in Dublin to claim the IBF middleweight world title

Aaron McKenna celebrates after the fight. Pic: ©INPHO/Gary Carr

Aaron McKenna claimed the vacant IBF middleweight title with a unanimous decision victory over Etinosa Oliha at the 3Arena in Dublin. It was a 118-110, 117-111, 116-112 win for the Monaghan fighter. The 27-year-old, unbeaten in a nine-year pro career, is just the fourth Irish fighter ever to hold a middleweight world title. 

“Masterclass, masterclass,” was the call from McKenna’s corner as he stepped up for the final round. He had gone from lacking rhythm early on to building a very impressive performance. The blows came from angles Oliha could not defend against.