Stevie Mckenna Targets Middleweight Return in Zuffa Boxing Debut
Stevie Mckenna returns on Saturday night after an 18-month layoff, making his Zuffa Boxing debut at Bournemouth International Centre against Casey James Streeter in an eight-round middleweight bout. The Monaghan, Ireland boxer says the break left him bigger and stronger, and the move up gives him a first look at how he handles the weight in a live fight.
“Yeah, it's great being back in fight week again,” McKenna said ahead of his return.
Bournemouth International Centre Debut
McKenna will step in for his first bout at middleweight on England’s South Coast, with the fight set for the main card. He said he had spent 18 months training hard in the gym after his last professional outing, and that he is ready to find out what the new division brings against Streeter.
“It was a long 18 months, but I spent 18 months in the gym training hard, so I'm bigger and stronger now. I'm fighting at middleweight, and I just can't wait to be unleashed, really. I'm like a lion ready to get out of the cage and attack,” he said.
Middleweight Makes Sense For McKenna
The move up was not a last-minute call. McKenna said he had been “bursting at the weight below anyway,” and added that middleweight made more sense for him. At six-foot-two, he said he can punch, is very strong, and expects to look improved on fight night.
“I'm big and strong at the weight. I'm six-foot-two, I can punch, I'm very strong. I've been working hard in the gym, and you're gonna see an improved, stronger Stevie McKenna [that's] more vicious on fight night,” he said.
Las Vegas Camp And Home Gym
His build-up has included work at home and abroad. McKenna trained in a gym at the back of his house with his dad and brother, said he had not missed a day or session since his last fight, and spent six and a half weeks in Las Vegas at the UFC Performance Institute before this bout.
“I was over in Las Vegas for six and a half weeks prior to this fight to train at the UFC Performance Institute, and it’s unbelievable out there. So, I'm in a really good place right now, and I'm just looking forward to fighting again and knocking people out,” he said. The return gives fans a first read on whether the long break and the division change produce the sharper version he says has been building for 18 months.
