Aaron McKenna

[Ruthless-RKO]

Aaron McKenna signs with Hennessy Sports

Exciting Irish prospect Aaron McKenna [12(7)-0] has penned a promotional deal with Hennessy Sports.

The Monaghan native turned over with Golden Boy Promotions and worked his way to 12-0 under the guidance of Oscar De La Hoya and co.

However, Covid slowed his rapid progress, prevented him from fighting Stateside since late 2019, and forcing him to return home from his LA base.

In a bid to keep active in the time since the 22-year-old has twice appeared on Hennessy cards, stopping Jordan Grannumi Redditch in late 2020 and outpointing Ivica Gogosevic in Coventry in September of this year.

The Silencer’ is also set to fight for a title at the SkyDome in Coventry on November 13th. That tilt will be the younger of two boxing brothers’ debut as a Mick Hennessy fighter.

The veteran promoter, who was behind Tyson Fury’s Irish heavyweight title win in Belfast in 2012, confirmed today he had secured the signature of the talented prospect.



It means McKenna will be fighting closer to home and gets direct access to British terrestrial TV via Channel 5.

The fancied emerging talent joins older brother Stevie McKenna and Donegal’s Brett McGinty on Hennessy’s roster, increasing the Irish representation and thus the chances of CH5 and Hennessy coming to Ireland.

In fact, rumour suggests the promoter has already explored Irish options and was considering a Belfast show in December.

Stevie McKenna has benefited massively from working with the English promoter, regular fights and TV slots have allowed him to move up the ladder and increase his profile significantly. The latest Hennessy promoted McKenna will be hoping for similar.

Of the younger McKenna, promoter Hennessy said that “I’m now delighted to have officially signed Aaron to a long term deal that will see him challenge for the WBC Youth World title on Saturday 13th November in Coventry and winning that title will be a real statement of intent for him. “

“To have world class young talents like Stevie and now Aaron under the Hennessy Sports banner is truly amazing for us and I’m really looking forward what the future holds with the boys and Fergal.”

“All of the premier players in World boxing have missed a trick with this young man. At this moment in time he is by far the best signing in World boxing, and will go on to be an absolute crossover superstar in the middleweight and super-middleweight divisions.”

[Webbo911]

Meaty Mick loves going overboard on the hyperbole don't he?

Anybody get the feeling he tends to end up with the lads that Frank and Eddie aren't bothered about?

This lad must have a bit about him to get signed by Golden Boy in the first place. I'll definitely keep an eye out for him.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Meaty Mick loves going overboard on the hyperbole don't he?

Anybody get the feeling he tends to end up with the lads that Frank and Eddie aren't bothered about?

This lad must have a bit about him to get signed by Golden Boy in the first place. I'll definitely keep an eye out for him.

His brother Steven has been making small moves on CH5.

[peter barlow]

Meaty Mick loves going overboard on the hyperbole don't he?

Anybody get the feeling he tends to end up with the lads that Frank and Eddie aren't bothered about?

This lad must have a bit about him to get signed by Golden Boy in the first place. I'll definitely keep an eye out for him.

Mick has a great spot for talent IMO but can only take em so far before they need bigger promoters. Doesn't have the money or backing.

On the other hand I think Eddie and Frank arent great at talent spotting. Eddie only really cares about marketability and he's now that big prospects aren't as important.

Frank seems to sign quantity and then doesn't really advance most of them in any proper way. But he usually gets a few diamonds because he gets so many prospects in.

[maverick23]

Meaty Mick loves going overboard on the hyperbole don't he?

Anybody get the feeling he tends to end up with the lads that Frank and Eddie aren't bothered about?

This lad must have a bit about him to get signed by Golden Boy in the first place. I'll definitely keep an eye out for him.

Mick has a great spot for talent IMO but can only take em so far before they need bigger promoters. Doesn't have the money or backing.

On the other hand I think Eddie and Frank arent great at talent spotting. Eddie only really cares about marketability and he's now that big prospects aren't as important.

Frank seems to sign quantity and then doesn't really advance most of them in any proper way. But he usually gets a few diamonds because he gets so many prospects in.

Eddie seems to just go for the top amateurs. Rarely signs someone turning over who hasn’t been on the main squad.

If you were a good amateur who didn’t make team GB or that kind of level then you would get little exposure with Matchroom as you’d be out early doors on Facebook. With Frank or maybe even Boxxer you’d be much higher on the card and seen by more people.

[margaret thatcher]

imagine being shannon courtney , and not being a top am, not being a great looker, not being likeable, not being very good, but getting signed and pushed by matchroom pretty much from the start.........hit the jackpot!

from what ive seen aaron is the better of the brothers. stephen is so crude

[peter barlow]

imagine being shannon courtney , and not being a top am, not being a great looker, not being likeable, not being very good, but getting signed and pushed by matchroom pretty much from the start.........hit the jackpot!

from what ive seen aaron is the better of the brothers. stephen is so crude

Shanny is from close to Essex isn't she. Plus points with Eddie.

He probably thought she has a good storyline ie barmaid to boxer. Ed thinks he's Vince McMahon.

[Webbo911]

Meaty Mick loves going overboard on the hyperbole don't he?

Anybody get the feeling he tends to end up with the lads that Frank and Eddie aren't bothered about?

This lad must have a bit about him to get signed by Golden Boy in the first place. I'll definitely keep an eye out for him.

Mick has a great spot for talent IMO but can only take em so far before they need bigger promoters. Doesn't have the money or backing.

On the other hand I think Eddie and Frank arent great at talent spotting. Eddie only really cares about marketability and he's now that big prospects aren't as important.

Frank seems to sign quantity and then doesn't really advance most of them in any proper way. But he usually gets a few diamonds because he gets so many prospects in.

Good breakdown that.

I don't follow amateur boxing at all so only really know the Olympians.

When I heard this kid John Hedges was a 6'4 suppermiddle and 5 time national champion I thought we might be looking at the new Paul Williams.

Got a gift on his debut.

Wasn't having a dig at Hennessy, hope he builds good stable that stick with him. Would be nice for Channel 5 to back him a bit more, doesn't look likely though.

[peter barlow]

Meaty Mick loves going overboard on the hyperbole don't he?

Anybody get the feeling he tends to end up with the lads that Frank and Eddie aren't bothered about?

This lad must have a bit about him to get signed by Golden Boy in the first place. I'll definitely keep an eye out for him.

Mick has a great spot for talent IMO but can only take em so far before they need bigger promoters. Doesn't have the money or backing.

On the other hand I think Eddie and Frank arent great at talent spotting. Eddie only really cares about marketability and he's now that big prospects aren't as important.

Frank seems to sign quantity and then doesn't really advance most of them in any proper way. But he usually gets a few diamonds because he gets so many prospects in.

Good breakdown that.

I don't follow amateur boxing at all so only really know the Olympians.

When I heard this kid John Hedges was a 6'4 suppermiddle and 5 time national champion I thought we might be looking at the new Paul Williams.

Got a gift on his debut.

Wasn't having a dig at Hennessy, hope he builds good stable that stick with him. Would be nice for Channel 5 to back him a bit more, doesn't look likely though.

I'd be much the same on Amateurs. I also reckon some Olympians get accustomed to the finer things from Team GB etc and turning over to Pro becomes harder.

I've not seen Hedges thus far. Very young but very tall for that weight. Early days but he ticks some of Hearns boxes so not suprised hes signed him.

Yeah I'm not Hennessy biggest fan but for a small promoter he's not bad. If only we had the machmaking of Hennessy
shows on FW shows. Night and day.

[watsupdoc87]

Good. The Irish lads ain't been too active since the pandemic started

[peter barlow]

Good. The Irish lads ain't been too active since the pandemic started

Seriously lacking an Irish promoter and of course shows in Republic. Probably better off in England at the moment until things improve

[Ruthless-RKO]

Press Release

Unbeaten hot Irish prospect Aaron “The Silencer” McKenna has signed a long-term promotional agreement with promoter Mick Hennessy and joins undefeated brother Stevie at Hennessy Sports to form a world class strike partnership.

The middleweight ace kicks off the first fight under the new deal when he features on Hennessy’s triple-title extravaganza on Saturday 13th November at the Coventry Skydome Arena, live and free on Channel 5 in the UK and Ireland.

McKenna will challenge for the first title of his career when he contests for the WBC Youth ‘World’ Middleweight title in a battle of the punchers against Ghanaian hard-hitter Edem Bika.  Previous prospects who have won a WBC Youth crown have gone on to greatness including the World’s current best pound for pound fighter Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez – who McKenna aims to face and dethrone within the next few years.

The County Monaghan hot shot has looked sensational since turning pro following a stellar amateur career in December 2017 in Las Vegas. Campaigning almost exclusively in the United States, McKenna has amassed an immaculate twelve fight record with 7 KO’s as he marks himself out as one of the very best young standout prospects in World boxing.

He has featured on Hennessy shows in his last two fights; last December in Redditch when he halted Jordan Grannum – who hadn’t been stopped in 79 fights – with a savage body shot in the second round and Grannum didn’t come out for the third and last month he out classed Croatian Ivica Gogosevic in Coventry. 

And he joins elder sibling Stevie ‘The Hitman’ under the quality packed Hennessy Sports banner where Stevie has fought since September last year before officially signing in December and has since flourished and taken his record to 9-0 with 8 knockouts.

McKenna is excited to have signed a long-term agreement with Hennessy and has seen what the renowned promoter has done for Stevie’s career and cannot wait to put his career into full throttle.

Aaron said, “I can’t wait to get started under Mick and Hennessy Sports I’m really looking forward to a massive future with big plans ahead so I couldn’t be more happier putting pen to paper with him,”

“For me fighting regularly, building up my career and reputation is massively important and of course receiving the fantastic exposure on Channel 5 which has already made a big difference to me, so signing with Mick at this stage is absolutely brilliant,”

“His reputation is second to none and he has guided so many fighters to world titles so I have total confidence in that he will do the same for me and of course Stevie. I can’t wait for the day that the both of us are World Champions.”

“I’m looking to put on a real show for the fans on Saturday 13th November in Coventry when I challenge for my first title, the WBC Youth World title, which is a big statement and many great fighters have held that title, like Canelo, and have gone on to achieve great things in the sport,”

“Fighting alongside my brother Stevie again is a huge boost and the pair of us will really take the boxing world by storm together.”

Father and trainer Fergal is ecstatic that both his boys are now under the guidance of Hennessy and will now be propelled to stardom under his expert guidance.

He said, “Mick has done a fantastic job with Stevie so I’m really happy that he will be promoting Aaron as well. Both boys are really excited to be in the Hennessy Sport stable and you will now see the both of them flourish as they develop from prospects to contenders to champions. We’re in for a really exciting time.”

Hennessy has big plans for Aaron and has delivered the WBC Youth title in his first fight under the new deal.

He said, “I’ve known Fergal and the boys for a long time through the amateur scene and we have developed a very strong bond and friendship over the years. I have long admired the skill and talent that both boys possess and they were incredible rising through the amateurs ranks, winning countless titles and have entered the pros with even more promise. I was delighted to officially welcome Stevie to the team in December and he has looked sensational so far maintaining his unbeaten record as he cuts through the welterweight division. So I’m now delighted to have officially signed Aaron to a long term deal that will see him challenge for the WBC Youth World title on Saturday 13th November in Coventry and winning that title will be a real statement of intent for him. To have world class young talents like Stevie and now Aaron under the Hennessy Sports banner is truly amazing for us and I’m really looking forward what the future holds with the boys and Fergal.”

Hennessy finished by saying firmly, “All of the premier players in World boxing have missed a trick with this young man. At this moment in time he is by far the best signing in World boxing, and will go on to be an absolute crossover superstar in the middleweight and super-middleweight divisions.”

[watsupdoc87]

Was their dad a good boxer anybody know??

[brilo33]

they have looked good both of the lads steve seems more crude and powerfull and aaron is a better boxer , both look good tho exciting aswell they have fought loads in america , i think both have huge potential

[brilo33]

Was their dad a good boxer anybody know??

fergal mckenna i think yes

[margaret thatcher]

steve throws wider shots than your average pub brawler

maybe the opposition is too poor and he just cant be arsed with tightening up?

very rare to see someone with technique like that go far

[brilo33]

steve throws wider shots than your average pub brawler

maybe the opposition is too poor and he just cant be arsed with tightening up?

very rare to see someone with technique like that go far

i think he can be taught to not be such a gun slinger keep his hands up, i agree tho he is wild and powerfull, havent seen there fights in awhile but he wants to be getting more clued up