Aaron McKenna, one of the finest emerging Middleweight talents in boxing, showed audiences why he’s touted to become a future World Champion as he stepped up two weight divisions to stop a game Mickey Ellison.
At the Echo Arena in Liverpool, Aaron McKenna (18-0, 9 KO’s) was originally scheduled to face former British middleweight title challenger Linus Udofia in a significant domestic bout. However, due to Udofia’s last-minute withdrawal, the undefeated 24-year-old Irishman ended up facing Mickey Ellison (14-7, 5 KO’s) in an impromptu match arranged at Light Heavyweight.
Ellison, a former champion in the Central Area light heavyweight division, dedicated his Christmas to training for a bout against the undefeated knockout artist Costas Nanga in Sweden. However, when the scheduled fight got canceled due to paperwork issues, the 33-year-old eagerly seized the opportunity to face the promising young prospect instead.
McKenna typically assumes an aggressive stance in his fights, but Ellison, breaking away from his stool, sought to assert himself against the naturally smaller opponent. Ellison frequently unleashed his right hand, attempting to connect, yet McKenna, staying alert, skillfully evaded the blows. Despite his natural inclination to engage in a heated exchange, McKenna composedly moved away and selectively landed precise shots.
Throughout the match, Ellison persistently reached and fell short, while McKenna appeared to be patiently waiting for the larger man to tire. Although Ellison briefly retreated after absorbing a right hand, McKenna maintained a straightforward approach. He incorporated ample movement and, when pausing to strike, upheld a tight defense, employing nimble head movement and delivering sharp, straight punches.
A notable shift occurred in the fourth round as McKenna adopted a more assertive approach. Taking the lead, he executed a jab from his shoulder and adeptly defended against Ellison’s swinging hooks. Ellison’s pace started to dwindle, and by the fifth round, McKenna began to dominate. Despite discussions about potentially withdrawing Ellison before the sixth round, he emerged behind the jab. However, McKenna pressed on, trapping Ellison in the corner. Two precise right hands forced referee Mark Lyson to halt the fight at 2:21 of the sixth round.
