Aaron McKenna vs Etinosa Oliha: ZUFFA Boxing 10 heads to Dublin for first IBF world title fight

Aaron McKenna faces undefeated Italian Etinosa Oliha for the vacant IBF middleweight world title at ZUFFA Boxing 10 in Dublin, with Callum Walsh, Joe Ward and Stevie McKenna also in action.

Aaron McKenna and Etinosa Oliha meet for the vacant IBF middleweight title as ZUFFA Boxing 10 heads to Dublin's 3Arena this weekend on August 8.

The card features some of Irish boxing's biggest names, including fellow national standout Callum Walsh, who returns against former British champion Tyler Denny.

With the card headlined by a middleweight world title bout, ZUFFA Boxing 10 marks the first time the promotion has staged a contest for a belt recognised by one of boxing's four major governing bodies, adding further significance to its first event in Ireland.

McKenna and Oliha battle for world title gold

After building much of his professional career outside Ireland, Aaron McKenna finally gets the chance to compete in front of a rowdy home crowd with the biggest prize of his career up for grabs.

The Monaghan native enters the contest unbeaten across his 20 professional fights and arrives following the most notable victory of his career, defeating former world champion Liam 'Beefy' Smith.

At 27 years old, McKenna now has the opportunity to turn years of promise into championship success. His undefeated record has made him one of Ireland's leading boxing prospects, but victory over Oliha would put his name firmly on the world boxing map.

The occasion also carries added importance given the fight's location.

Irish boxing has a long history of producing world champions, and McKenna will look to add his name to that list in front of a home audience.

Standing in his way is Etinosa Oliha, an undefeated middleweight who has quietly built a reputation as one of Europe's leading contenders.

The Italian enters the bout with a 22-0 professional record and has already captured European honours during his career. Like McKenna, Oliha is looking to convert an unbeaten run into world-level success, with Saturday providing the biggest opportunity of his career.

With both men unbeaten, the contest also carries the pressure that comes with a first professional defeat. The winner will leave Dublin with a world title and momentum towards bigger opportunities in the middleweight division, while the loser will face the challenge of rebuilding after the first setback of their career.

Callum Walsh faces experienced Tyler Denny

The co-main event sees another of Ireland's most highly regarded fighters return to action as Callum Walsh faces former British champion Tyler Denny.

Walsh has become one of Irish boxing's biggest prospects since turning professional and has developed a reputation for his exciting style and growing profile in the United States.

Even before Dana White founded ZUFFA Boxing, the UFC CEO regularly used his social media platforms to shine a spotlight on Walsh.

His opponent Denny represents a significant step up in experience for Walsh.

Denny has previously held middleweight gold and has shared the ring with several notable names in British boxing.

A victory over Denny would provide Walsh with another important result as he continues his development.

Irish talent fills the ZUFFA Boxing 10 card

Elsewhere on the card, Joe Ward returns following a two-year absence as he takes on unbeaten light heavyweight Artjom Kasparian.

Ward, a former amateur standout and Olympian, will look to re-establish himself following two years away from the ring, while Kasparian arrives with an undefeated 14-0 record and the opportunity to make a statement against an experienced opponent.

The event will also feature Scotland's Sam Hickey as he takes on England's Brad Axe in a middleweight clash.

Aaron's brother Stevie McKenna will also feature when he faces Owen O'Neill at middleweight, with the McKenna brothers both hoping to celebrate victories in Dublin.

Unbeaten 36-year-old Connor Coyle also returns to Dublin for the first time since 2017 when he takes on Mark Beuke at middleweight.

With a world title fight at the top of the bill and some of Ireland's leading names and brightest prospects competing throughout the night, ZUFFA Boxing 10 represents one of the promotion's most significant numbered cards to date.

Henry Elwell

Henry Elwell is a sports writer based in Lincoln, UK, specialising in combat sports coverage across both boxing and mixed martial arts. Alongside his writing, Henry has gained experience presenting boxing events, attending press conferences and hosting media events, building a broad range of skills during his time at the University of Lincoln. He also played a key role in the University of Lincoln's coverage of Lincoln City F.C. during the club's title-winning 2025/26 campaign. His work included writing match reports and feature articles, as well as interviewing the team's manager and numerous first-team players.