McKenna eyes Canelo and Eubank Jr after world championship fight

Aaron McKenna gets his dream world title fight against Etinosa Oliha in Dublin on August 8, live on Sky Sports.

The Irishman reckons if he can hand Oliha a first defeat to win the IBF middleweight championship, he can plot a course to fights with the biggest names in his division and the weight class above.

If Christian Mbilli can get a fight with Canelo Alvarez, McKenna believes he can put himself in the frame for a shot at the Mexican superstar.

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"On August 8 becoming world champion will open a lot of doors for me," McKenna told Sky Sports.

"[Canelo] is one of the biggest names in boxing right now - he's fighting Mbilli. That's for the 168lb title. You never know. I win the IBF title [I could] try and unify but I'm definitely open to fighting for titles at 168 as well. I'm taking the best opportunity that's going to grow my career."

McKenna will also take aim at a returning Chris Eubank Jr, whose father, boxing legend Chris Eubank fought twice in Ireland, losing on both of those occasions to Steve Collins.

McKenna invites him to come to Ireland to "try and get a win for the Eubank name".

"Eubank and Steve Collins, they fought in Cork on Sky Sports so you never know, if he wants to run similar story back we can do it in Ireland on Sky Sports again, it would just recreate history," McKenna said.

"After this show on August 8, Irish boxing will have a big star. It's going to bring massive, massive headlines and a new audience to Irish boxing."

To realise his ambitions though, McKenna will have to overcome Oliha next month. "He's a very good fighter, 22-0, strong, he'll be game and any man that's fighting for world titles is going to be giving it their all," he said, but added: "I know what I have to do.

"I'm more than ready for it."

He is relishing the occasion. "It's going to be unbelievable. It's something that I've been dreaming of since I started boxing at six years old. Finally get my fight for the world title and for it to be in Ireland makes it extra special," McKenna said.

"I'm doing everything now to make sure it's going to count. Everything I've been doing so far in my boxing career is leading up to this moment and it's going to work out in the end.

"The 3Arena is a brilliant atmosphere and it's perfect for boxing, especially with the Irish fans. I know there's a lot of people travelling over from America too.

"I'm having goosebumps just thinking about fighting in there with that Irish atmosphere."

Tickets go on sale Friday at 2 pm via Ticketmaster.ie, while anyone who registered their interest via ZuffaBoxing.com will get early access at 10 am on Friday.