Aaron McKenna to make Mexican step-up

Aaron McKenna [5(3)-0] must be one of those people who detest the feel of cotton wool.

The man who was only recently replaced by James Power as Ireland’s youngest pro fighter certainly hasn’t been treated with kids gloves since turning over with Golden Boy.

The Monaghan 19-year-old has fought five times and three times against fighters with winning records since turning over. Granted not against any names of note but fighters above the level your average early doors fighter mixes with – especially one so young.

‘The Silencer’ steps it up again when he returns to the ring next week for his sixth fight in eleven months..

McKenna, whose brother Stevie looks set to turn over soon, faces Abel Reyes [4(4)-1(1)] at the Fantasy Springs in Indio, California on Thursday November 8th on a Golden Boy on ESPN bill.

Like McKenna, the Mexican comes to ring after five fights and with four knockouts to his name – one more than the welterweight prospect.

Unlike McKenna, 24-year-old Reyes has tasted defeat having been stopped by Fernando Mata Navarro and while his the level of opposition he has faced isn’t quite comparable to the Sheer Sports fighter, he has proved he can bang and will come to the ring confident he can test the chin of the Irish puncher.

Most notably, however, is that the fight is set for six-rounds, with McKenna graduating from four-round affairs at a relatively early stage.

Another plus for the busy Monaghan teen is the fact he will once again fight in front of the TV cameras.

McKenna’s clash will be broadcast live on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes – his third time to be aired on the channel along with two web-streamed bouts and one non-recorded contest.

The card next month is headlined by Jesus Soto Karass versus Neeco Macias at light middleweight and also features a featherweight clash between Manny Robles Jr and Jose Gonzalez.