Aaron McKenna Climbs Two Places To #4 In Latest IBF World Middleweight Rankings

Unbeaten Irish boxing star Aaron McKenna has climbed to #4 in the latest IBF world middleweight rankings.

‘The Silencer’ has climbed two spots from sixth to fourth in the latest IBF rankings at 160-pounds as he closes in on a world title shot.

Aaron McKenna Climbs Latest IBF World Middleweight Rankings

The latest IBF world middleweight rankings have been kind to Aaron McKenna, who has climbed two spots from sixth to fourth as he closes in on a world title shot in 2026.

The Irishman hasn’t fought since his 12-round masterclass on the Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn undercard last April, where he dismantled and beat up former world champion Liam Smith in one-sided fashion.

It is likely to be almost a year from his last fight to his next once McKenna actually gets back in the ring, much to the frustration of Irish boxing fans and the 26-year-old himself.

After putting in a career-best performance on such a huge platform, it was fair to assume that McKenna would have been presented with a big opportunity and a major fight before the end of 2025.

That obviously didn’t materialise for ‘The Silencer’, who remains side-lined. McKenna is awaiting fight news and is hoping to get back in the ring as soon as possible.

UP 2 FOR MCKENNA

Aaron McKenna moves up 2 from 6th to 4th in the latest IBF World Middleweight rankings

World title shot incoming in 2026 for the Silencer, all being well pic.twitter.com/geHI1xAlzM

— Boxing Tickets NI (@BoxingTicketsNI) January 7, 2026

The Monaghan-born boxer has stayed ready and is continuing to train, hoping for an opportunity against a big name in the middleweight division.

Although this period of inactivity for McKenna has been frustrating, the 20-0 fighter has received some positive news early in the New Year.

The Irishman is even closer now than before at landing a major world title fight, with just two fighters ranked above him and the #1 spot currently vacant in the latest IBF world middleweight rankings.

Janibek Alimkhanuly is the current IBF king at middleweight, holding the WBO belt as well. McKenna could well land a fight against the Kazakh fighter next, provided Alimkhanuly is cleared of any wrongdoing following his positive drugs test prior to his unification bout with WBA champion Erislandy Lara.

"He's passed the baton to you" 🤝

Liam Smith’s trainer, Joe McNally, shared a classy message with Aaron McKenna after his decision win over Smith.

📹 @HennessySports pic.twitter.com/fVHK9Qlh4I

— Boxing on TNT Sports (@boxingontnt) April 27, 2025

Aaron McKenna Closes In On World Title Shot At 160-Pounds

With this move from sixth to fourth in the latest IBF world middleweight rankings, Aaron McKenna is undoubtedly closing in on his first shot at world honours.

All being well, ‘The Silencer’ will land his maiden world title shot before the end of the year. As well as being ranked at #4 with the IBF, McKenna is also highly ranked with all of the remaining three sanctioning bodies.

The Monaghan man is ranked at #8 with the WBA, as well as being inside the top 10 of both the WBC and WBO. This year really could and should be the year McKenna gets his shot on the world stage, especially after his last performance over Liam Smith.

Although McKenna is close to landing a world title shot at 160-pounds, he hasn’t ruled out a move up in weight to 168-pounds if it means he gets his shot at a world title sooner.

🗣️ @Aaronmckenna99 shares his thoughts on today's Middleweight champions…

➡️ @Laraboxing – WBA
➡️ @BroncoAdames – WBC
➡️ @qazaqstyle – IBF & WBO

…and why the once celebrated division currently sits in limbo

📰 Full interview with @ringmagazine can be read below:… pic.twitter.com/0NF26WiGcx

— Hennessy Sports (@HennessySports) September 29, 2025

McKenna is still contemplating a super-middleweight move, which would prove fruitful given all the belts are now vacant after three-weight undisputed king Terence Crawford retired and relinquished all the belts.

If ‘The Silencer’ can’t get a shot at any of the middleweight belts next, or at least a final eliminator, he could well opt to move up to 168-pounds in chasing a world title up there.

The 26-year-old has revealed he is open to fights at any weight, as long as it puts him in a position to fight for a world title next.

It remains to be seen what happens next in the career of Aaron McKenna. One thing you can guarantee is that he’ll fight anyone in any location around the world.