Aaron McKenna calls for Hamzah Sheeraz fight as Irish contender aims to topple Britain’s ‘greatest fighters’ | Boxing News

Aaron McKenna has called for a clash against Hamzah Sheeraz as the undefeated Irish contender aims to topple Britain’s ‘greatest fighters’.

McKenna scored the best victory of his career in his last fight at middleweight, beating former world champion Liam Smith at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London in April, and the 26-year-old now wants an explosive showdown with Sheeraz.

In his US debut in July, Sheeraz knocked out Edgar Berlanga in four rounds in New York, but McKenna has taken inspiration from the sport’s elite champions as he attempts to “pursue greatness” at super middleweight.

McKenna told Sky Sports: “I know Hamzah is looking for an opponent and I like the idea of ​​making weight to continue my invasion of Britain.

“Look [Terence] Crawford gaining weight to challenge herself was inspiring. Turki [Al-Sheikh] challenges fighters to move their weight and pursue the biggest fights.

“I want to follow Turki’s model and seek greatness by fighting anyone between 160 and 168 pounds.”

McKenna is the No. 7 ranked middleweight by “The Ring” magazine, while Sheeraz is ranked No. 8 super middleweight by the same publication.

But the Monaghan-born boxer is extremely confident in his ability to defeat Sheeraz as he aims to emulate Irish boxing legend Steve Collins, who defeated great British rivals Chris Eubank and Nigel Benn.

“Sheeraz is a good boxer and a solid puncher. That’s what makes it an exciting challenge, but I’ll walk away with my hand raised,” McKenna said.

“I beat Liam Smith and I know I’ll do the exact same thing to Sheeraz. Ring No 7 versus Ring No 8, two undefeated fighters, Ireland versus the UK. What’s better than that? I’ll earn my chance at a world title in 2026.

“My aim is to take on Britain’s greatest fighters like Steve Collins did and I will do it for Ireland.”