McKenna Targets Statement Win Against Smith on Saturday Night
Aaron McKenna is targeting a "statement win" against former world champion Liam Smith on Saturday night, as the unbeaten Monaghan boxer faces the Liverpudlian for the WBA international middleweight belt. The highly anticipated bout will take place on the undercard of Chris Eubank Jr v Conor Benn at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
According to reports from RTE.ie, McKenna, 19-0-0, is relishing the opportunity to take on the 36-year-old Smith, who boasts a record of 33-4-1. "I’ve been waiting for a moment like this for a good while now," McKenna said. "I’ve been calling for big fights these past two or three years. It’s a fight I’m really excited for. I’m looking forward to it. It’s just incredible to be part of the first ever Ring Magazine card. I know there’s going to be a lot of eyes on me."
McKenna plans to make the most of the occasion and secure a statement win on Saturday night. "This card is getting a lot of attention, so I plan to make the most of it and make a statement win come Saturday night," he added.
Meanwhile, Smith, whose most recent bout was a rematch loss to Eubank Jr in September 2023, acknowledges that McKenna is looking to finish his career. However, Smith is confident that he still has what it takes to compete at the highest level. "Aaron McKenna is coming to try and finish my career – it’s not that time just yet," Smith said. "I’ve had experiences on all of the big stages. It’s all irrelevant come Saturday night. I’ve done enough rounds in the gym. I’ve had enough fights over the years. I can’t really blame ring rust. I’m looking forward to Saturday and I’m looking forward to being back."
Smith, who has been hampered by injuries and illness in the lead-up to his last few fights, admits that he has a point to prove. "I’ve got a point to prove," he said. "I was horrendous last time out in the ring. You can’t announce you’re back until you perform under the lights. I need to win by any means necessary, but I need to put on a performance too for the people who have written me off after Eubank 2."
In the main event, Chris Eubank Jr has vowed to be the matador and treat Conor Benn like a bull. The rivalry between the two fighters has been escalated in recent weeks, with Eubank Jr slapping Benn with an egg in a February press conference. According to RTE.ie, Eubank Jr said: "This fight isn’t about size or weight, it’s about skill and dedication, it’s about expertise and all of those areas I excel in. I have many years of experience over Conor Benn and that will be the deciding factor on the night."
Benn, who is looking to continue his unbeaten run, insists that the fight is personal. "It’s always personal," he said. "People say it’s business, this is not business, it never is. If you’re trying to put your hands on me and render me unconscious then it’s not business and this is personal. I want to get my hands on him badly, I wish I had done already and we were fighting tonight. The hard work is done and I’m excited to get in there and do a number on him."
The event will be broadcast on pay-per-view on DAZN and Sky Box Office.
As noted by RTE.ie, Chris Eubank Sr, the father of Chris Eubank Jr, was not in attendance at the grand arrivals following comments last week where he labelled his son a "disgrace" for his pre-fight antics.
Additional reporting: PA. Source: RTE.ie
