Callum Walsh: Aaron McKenna world title fight makes sense, fighting Stephen McKenna doesn't
Callum Walsh would have no problem fighting Aaron McKenna should he emerge from Etinosa Oliha showdown as world champion but insists all-Irish showdown with Stephen McKenna makes no sense; Walsh fights Tyler Denny on Zuffa Boxing 10 live on Sky Sports this Saturday
Friday 7 August 2026 14:44, UK
Callum Walsh would entertain a fight against Aaron McKenna over Stephen McKenna, insisting all-Irish clashes only make sense with the world title on the line.
Walsh (16-0, 11 KOs) fights former European champion Tyler Denny on the undercard of Aaron McKenna's IBF world middleweight title showdown with Etinosa Oliha at Dublin's 3Arena this Saturday, live on Sky Sports.
It's the headline act of six middleweight bouts on a stacked card that also sees Stephen McKenna face Owen O'Neill over eight rounds before assuming corner duties for his younger, world title-chasing brother.
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Walsh has been identified as a potential future opponent by Stephen McKenna (16-1, 15 KOs), but the unbeaten 25-year-old believes he's already at another level.
Responding to McKenna's challenge, Walsh told Sky Sports: "If there's anyone that I'm looking at, it would be the fella with the world title, not the fella with the loss.
"In my mind, it doesn't make sense unless it's for a world title. There are bigger names than Stevie McKenna calling me out.
"Shane Mosley Jr is a bigger fight than Stevie McKenna. His brother Aaron is fighting for the world title. If I was going to fight either of them, I'd fight Aaron for the world title."
'It makes sense for him, not for me'
Walsh believes an all-Irish fight without a world title on the line could needlessly jeopardise the momentum middleweights are currently generating in Ireland.
"It's a big time for Irish boxing," he added. "As an Irish fighter from such a small place, there are three of us now in Zuffa Boxing. Why would we want to eliminate each other unless it's for a world title?
"If it's for a world title, at least you can get paid for it. You're going to be able to sell out an arena and put on a big show for everyone involved. Why have an all-Irish fight on an undercard somewhere when it doesn't make sense?
"It makes sense for him. It makes no sense at all for me. His brother's fighting for the world title. There are bigger names calling me out. I've had bigger fights. It doesn't make any sense."
Walsh believes Stephen McKenna would be better served avenging his sole loss as a professional, a majority-decision defeat to Lee Cutler in 2024.
"He doesn't even want to fight the fella who beat him," he said. "He was asked if he wanted a rematch and he said no.
"Go back and fight the fella who beat you. That's the one I'd be looking at if I was him. He's in the same division, the same league, and he's begging for the rematch."
'I'll fight Aaron or the other fella'
Walsh, who fights in Dublin for the first time since knocking out Przemyslaw Runowski in two rounds in 2024, is confident he can overcome Denny and believes Aaron McKenna will become Ireland's newest world champion.
Victory for both men would set up the mouth-watering prospect of an all-Irish world title fight, and Walsh insists he would have no problem facing Aaron should he emerge as champion.
"I don't know much about his opponent, to be honest," Walsh added. "I'm sure Aaron will win. I presume he will.
"It's a big opportunity and a big night for him to go out there, perform and win the world title in Dublin. I think he will.
"If Aaron wins and they want me to fight him, I'll fight him. If he doesn't win, maybe I'll fight the other fella.
"I just fight whoever they tell me to. I'm not out here calling anybody out. It's just the same old habits."
Watch Zuffa Boxing 10, headlined by Aaron McKenna vs Etinosa Oliha live on Sky Sports this Saturday.
