AARON McKenna has called out Chris Eubank junior after showcasing his quality and big fight temperament with a world class performance against Liam Smith at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday night.
Vastly-experienced Smith was made to look well past his best as he struggled to lay a meaningful glove on elusive, switch-hitting McKenna in the 12-rounder.
Performing like he was born for the big stage, the Monaghan fighter set his stall out from the first bell and a dominant performance reached a crescendo in the final round when he sent Smith, a former light-middleweight world champion, to the canvas with a crunching bodyshot.
“I’ve said for years now that I deserve to be on the big stage and it was all about proving it on Saturday night,” he said.
“I finally got the chance to show everyone that I’m the best middleweight in the world and if it’s not a world title shot next, I’d like to get a fight with Chris Eubank junior.
“I think I’d beat him very easily. If you’re not shooting for the highest level, what’s the point? I want to become a world champion, and undisputed in this weight division, so I’ll have to reach for it.”
McKenna has roots in the Ballymaguigan area of South Derry and fight fans from the Oak Leaf county were among those who travelled to North London to cheer him on to a victory that will open the door to massive fights this year.
“It was an honour to represent Ireland,” said a delighted McKenna afterwards.
“Hopefully I can bring big fights back to Ireland now.
“It was unbelievable the amount of fans that went over. I knew there was loads going over but there was more than I thought. Loads went that I didn’t even know were going.
“I ran into so many Irish people from all over, from different counties – there were ones from Derry, Galway, Mayo… They came over to see my fight and half of them didn’t even stay for the main event.”
Eubank junior has been discharged from hospital on Monday after undergoing checks following his hard-fought victory over Conor Benn on Saturday night.
Benn was handed the first defeat of his professional career via unanimous decision after a gruelling encounter at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with all three judges scoring it 116-112 in favour of Eubank junior.
Both fighters were taken to the Royal London Hospital for precautionary tests after the fight, with the two understood have ended up two beds down from each other and their fathers – Nigel and Chris senior – sitting together in the hospital.