By:
Paul Kelly
Unbeaten Irish middleweight Aaron McKenna is confident this year will be the best of his career to date.
‘The Silencer’ insists his ‘time will come soon enough’ and has major plans for an assault on the world stage in 2026.
Aaron McKenna Insists 2026 Will Be His Year
Undefeated Irish middleweight contender Aaron McKenna thought 2025 was going to be his breakout year after claiming the biggest win of his career back in April, but it didn’t quite turn out that way.
McKenna beat up and widely outpointed former world champion Liam Smith on the Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn undercard, putting in a career-best and near punch-perfect performance in the process.
Following his victory over Smith where his record improved to 20-0, ‘The Silencer’ and the majority of boxing fans felt he would be in line for a major fight and possible world title before the end of the year.
However, it didn’t quite play out the way McKenna hoped. In fact, McKenna hasn’t fought since, despite being ranked in the top 10 with all four governing bodies at middleweight.
https://twitter.com/Aaronmckenna99/status/1916543851247935968
This frustrating period resulted in McKenna contemplating a super-middleweight move, which may still happen if a big opportunity presents itself to the Monaghan man.
Despite this frustrating period of inactivity, McKenna hasn’t let his spirits dampen and is confident that this year will turn out to be a positive one in his boxing career:
“I am looking to challenge for a world title anywhere between 160 and 168-pounds. [Carlos] Adames, [Erislandy] Lara, even Jose Resendiz. Something will materialise,” McKenna told The Ring.
“I am highly rated in the IBF, so I may get an opportunity there. No matter what, 2026 is going to be my year,” insisted the unbeaten Irish fighter.
https://twitter.com/EverythingBoxi2/status/1916214717585965388
Aaron McKenna Confident His ‘Time Will Come’ With World Title Ambitions This Year
Although the past 10 months has been a frustrating period in the career of Aaron McKenna, he is still highly rated on the world scene which is demonstrated by his top 10 ranking in all four governing bodies at middleweight.
McKenna recently climbed two places to #4 in the latest IBF world middleweight rankings, and is also ranked #8 with the WBA, ninth with the WBC and 10th with the WBO.
‘The Silencer’ remains confident that he will get a breakout opportunity at some stage this year, and even looked at one stage like he would be challenging for world honours on January 31 at short notice.
Although the fight didn’t materialise, McKenna’s team are in regular contact with the big promoters and major influences in world boxing, including the likes of His Excellency Turki Alalshikh.
Aaron McKenna was ready to replace anyone. https://t.co/HzlUbb2cxf
— (っ◔◡◔)っ ♥️ Sammy ♥️ (@sammy_rrrr) January 30, 2026
That fills the 26-year-old with confidence, which is why he remains so optimistic that 2026 will be the year that he brings a world title belt back home to the Emerald Isle:
“My manager and my Dad have been hearing from all the big promoters, that’s the exciting part.
“The next stage of my career is really important so we haven’t jumped at any offer yet, except the world title opportunity against Adames. We were all over that, but everything happens for a reason and my time will come soon enough,” concluded McKenna.
Although a world title fight is McKenna’s priority, he has also listed an all-Irish fight with Callum Walsh as a realistic fight to make. In fact, Team McKenna called-out Walsh following his win on Zuffa Boxing’s debut cards, so that could materialise this year also.
Regardless of what’s next for Aaron McKenna, it’s sure to be a major fight.
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