Promoter Mick Hennessy today announced that he has signed exciting Irish talent Stephen ‘Hitman’ McKenna to a long-term promotional agreement.
Super-lightweight McKenna kicks off the new deal this Friday when he takes on Plymouth’s Des Newton in a six-round contest on the undercard of Sam Eggington’s clash with Ashley Theophane, live on Channel 5.
The red-hot McKenna’s last fight was on the Alex Dilmaghani-Samir Ziani undercard back in September, when he blasted out Gary McGuire in just one round after scoring three knockdowns.
McKenna tasted large success as an amateur. He represented Ireland at international level under the Irish Boxing Association with 155 fights under his belt. He won the Irish Under 18 youth title, Commonwealth youth gold in Samoa and was crowned Irish elite senior champion all in the same year announcing him as a major young star in Irish boxing.
Moving to Los Angeles in 2018 to train under the legendary Freddie Roach at the Wild Card Gym, McKenna has gained invaluable experience sparring with some of the world’s best in Vasily Lomachenko, plus top fighters Sergey Lipinets, Jose Zepeda, Hikori Okada, Antonio Orozco, Javier Molina, Lee Selby and Ryan Garcia.
Talent runs through the McKenna family, with his brothers Aaron – an unbeaten super-welterweight prospect who fights alongside Stevie on the Eggington-Theophane undercard, courtesy of his promoter Golden Boy Promotions – and now retired former amateur star Gary.
“I’m very excited to sign with Hennessy Sports,” Said McKenna. “I have heard great things about them and I’m looking forward to building up my fan base here in the UK and Ireland with exciting fights being shown live on Channel Five. I know that Mick will do everything in his power to give me the opportunity to become a major world champion and become a PPV star when I’m in the marquee fights.”
Hennessy added, “Stevie is a sensational talent and I’m proud and delighted to welcome him to the Hennessy Sports team. I’m really looking forward to working with Fergal and Ken, Lyle and Rachel from Sheer Sports who have all done a fantastic job to get Stevie to this stage.
“We will be working closely together to take Stevie to the very top to become a world champion and mainstream star. He’s got a very busy week ahead and then he will have an active schedule for 2021 where he will play a major role in our exciting developments for the future.”
Rachel Charles. Sheer Sports Management, said, “We are tremendously happy for Stevie “Hitman” McKenna inking a promotional deal with Hennessy Sports. Stevie has given so much passion, dedication, focus and work ethic to get to where he is today and it’s paying incredible dividends.
This is a very proud and exciting day for Sheer Sports Management. We have no doubt whatsoever that Stevie “Hitman” McKenna will become a World Champion sooner rather than later. Mick Hennessy has a well documented proven track record and because of that we know he is the man to get Stevie to the top. We would like to thank Mick and his team and we look forward to a great ride.”