Stephen McKenna: Irish entertainer tasked with launching brother Aaron's world title bid

It's a big week for the McKenna family and, for one member, it's impossible to contain the excitement.

Aaron McKenna's bid to capture the vacant IBF middleweight world title against Etinosa Oliha headlines Zuffa Boxing 10 in Dublin this Saturday, live on Sky Sports.

The biggest fight of the unbeaten 27-year-old's career happens to be his first on Irish soil as a professional, setting up a homecoming of career-defining proportions.

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It's set to be a family affair at the 3Arena, with Stephen McKenna fighting Owen O'Neill on the undercard before stepping into his younger brother's corner.

"This is our big homecoming and big night of Irish boxing. It's going to be massive," said Stevie, who will also fight in Ireland for the first time as a professional.

"I want to be on the card because it's such a historic event, Aaron McKenna fighting for a world middleweight title. I want to be a part of it all.

"I want to go in and get a knockout and then I want to be in the corner for my brother… That's my plan."

The McKennas are a band of brothers obsessed with matters in the ring and, in true sibling fashion, competitive in every pursuit out of it.

"We've been boxing 22 years. It's a long time," Stephen said.

"We love the game. Every day of our lives, it's always been boxing. We've made a lot of sacrifices over the years. We've lived the life of a pure fighter.

"We train with each other… We've always been able to work with each other, sparring…

"We're very competitive with each other. No matter what it is, football, darts, anything, we're always trying to get one better of each other."

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The world's most-entertaining fighter?

Stevie concedes Saturday night is ultimately about his brother's world title pursuit, but the excitable character is never too far from the limelight.

He has proclaimed himself one of the most exciting fighters in the world and has vowed to live up to that reputation in his middleweight bout against O'Neill on Saturday night.

"This night is all about Aaron McKenna…" he said.

"Sometimes I'm too exciting. My dad sometimes wants me to control myself, but sometimes I just can't help myself.

"I like entertaining people. I like giving value for money… I'm probably the most exciting of all the fighters in the world to watch.

"There's always something… fight-of-the-year contenders, round of the year. My last fight was only a minute. There was a lot happened in that minute.

"It will just be another typical Stevie McKenna performance."

'Different level of fighting in Ireland'

McKenna (16-1, 15 KOs) is seeking his second victory under the Zuffa Boxing banner after blasting Casey Streeter away in one round on debut on the Chris Billam-Smith vs Ryan Rozicki undercard in June.

The 29-year-old forecasts more Irish success in Dublin this Saturday, for him, his brother, and middleweight Callum Walsh, who he has set his sights on fighting next.

"I'm after the big fights…" he added. "I would like a Callum Walsh sort of fight, a bigger fight. I want the biggest fights that's going to take me to the highest possible level.

"The Irish fans would go crazy for that one, especially after the momentum of August 8.

"Aaron's going to become world champion, Callum Walsh is fighting on the bill, he gets the win, I get the win, it's going to be very exciting for all of Irish boxing.

"It's a real turn. It's going to be the start of a different level of fighting in Ireland."

Watch Zuffa Boxing 10 this Saturday live on Sky Sports Action from 7pm and Sky Sports Main Event from 8pm. Get Sky Sports or stream boxing with no contract