McKenna believes his historical past with Adames tells him one thing totally different.
“I believe he’d be afraid to battle me as a result of he is aware of precisely what I’m like. And that was after I was 19. Now I’m 27, absolutely developed middleweight,” McKenna instructed The Ring.
The issue with that argument is that sparring from eight years in the past isn’t a lot proof of what occurs in a championship battle at present.
McKenna is basically an untested belt-holder. Oliha introduced a 22-0 file into Dublin, however he wasn’t a longtime elite middleweight. Earlier than that, probably the most recognizable opponent on McKenna’s file was Liam Smith, who was effectively previous his greatest and coming back from a prolonged absence after his 2023 knockout loss to Chris Eubank Jr.
McKenna additionally isn’t a significant puncher. His 10 knockouts in 21 victories don’t give Adames a lot motive to view him because the division’s new boogeyman.
There are sensible causes for Adames to look elsewhere. A battle with WBO champion Denzel Bentley presents a unification towards a extra established opponent. Shifting to 168 kilos to face IBF champion Osleys Iglesias provides him an even bigger potential reward.
Beating Iglesias would put Adames into the tremendous middleweight combine, the place profitable fights involving Canelo Alvarez, Hamzah Sheeraz or Eubank change into potentialities.
McKenna desires to unify rapidly and is prepared to face any champion. That want is smart for a fighter who has simply received his first world title.
However McKenna wants the Adames battle excess of Adames wants him. Successful the IBF belt has put McKenna in place to determine himself among the many greatest middleweights. Beating Oliha alone hasn’t accomplished that.
