Knocked for six – Stevie McKenna continues knock out run

It was business as usual for stoppage specialist Stevie McKenna tonight.

McKenna celebrated the signing a promotional agreement with Hennessy Sports with a Channel 5 broadcast knockout win.

‘The Hitman’ made if five inside the distance wins on the trot, taking out MJ Hall on the undercard of Sam Eggington vs Ashley Theophane on Saturday.

Hall, who has only been stopped four times in 57 defeats, provided some resistance, but ultimately went the way of all McKenna’s other opponents and didn’t survive to the final bell.

It was only the second time the older of the two boxing brothers went beyond the first round and the first time he was taken past the second.

Rounds mean nothing to the aggressive light welterweight , but there will be some happy to see the new Hennessy Sports prospect banked some three minute sessions and experience as a result.

McKenna’s Channel 5 debut lasted just 73 seconds and he came out looking to get the job done quicker this time round.

The older of the two boxing brothers winged in big single shots, treating Hall like a heavy bag.

It was a bit more refined from the Monaghan man in the second. There was more thought to his approach, but the power was still on display as he bullied and dominated Hall.

There was speed and skill from a southpaw stance, as we got a first glimpse of the other side of the Smithborough fighter’s game.

The accumulation of punishment seemed to be taking it’s toll, although Hall began to look more sadomasochistic than just survival specialist. The away fighter smiling through the pain and almost reveling it withstanding the punishment.

Hall began to goad and play act in the fourth and continued to employ some of the sly tricks of the trade. At that point it looked like the veteran tough man may bring McKenna the distance.

However, McKenna wasn’t giving up hope of another early night and continued to let fly in the penultimate round.

Referee Ian John Lewis put Hall out of his misery 1:54 into the fifth, jumping in much to the journey man’s frustration.

The Freddie Roach trained fighters win made it a McKenna double as his brother Aaron became the first man to stop Jordan Grannum earlier on the card.

The win see’s McKenna improve to 6(6)-0 while his opponent’s slate now reads 2-58(5)-2.