Veteran former champion Liam Smith faces unbeaten prospect Aaron McKenna on Saturday on the undercard of Chris Eubank Jnr-Conor Benn at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Smith has not fought since his stoppage defeat against Eubank in their rematch back in September 2023. He was then slated to face Josh Kelly last September, but Smith was forced to withdraw during fight week because of an illness.

Smith will now face McKenna, a 19-0 (10 KOs) middleweight from Ireland who is attempting to announce himself on the world scene. McKenna, still only 25 years old, had recently competed in Matchroom Boxing’s “PrizeFighter” in Japan, picking up a career-best win over Jeovanny Estela, but the tournament has since been scrapped due to a legal matter.

McKenna isn’t short on confidence, despite his limited experience at the top level. Smith isn’t too sure where McKenna gets his confidence from.

“Yeah, I think he's a good fighter coming through,” Smith told BoxingScene. “Young, hungry, a little bit too big for his boots. I think in past fights I've heard him saying he's the best middleweight in Britain and all that. Just before the Japan tournament and all that, ‘the most feared middleweight in the world,’ he was saying. At one stage, I couldn't get where that was coming from. But good fighter, good game, loves a fight, can box a bit better than his brother. I rate him as a good fighter coming through.”

Aaron’s older brother, Stevie McKenna, recently suffered the first defeat of his career, to Lee Cutler last December. Stevie spoke a good game heading into the contest, but he was found out by the more experienced Cutler. Smith was asked if he believes lightning will strike twice on the McKenna brothers.

“One hundred per cent, yes I do,” he said. “Just like, you know, a similar case, just repeats all over. Fights I've had over the past five years, maybe, [Anthony] Fowler. Just people – I get asked all the same questions as well. I get asked all the same questions in the press conference, the fight week. I get asked all the same things. A lot got mentioned to [my brother] Callum [Smith on February 22].

“People mentioned age, the fellow at the top of the bill [Artur Beterbiev] was 41 years of age. Age is a number when, if you're getting old, you're getting old. It can come at 31 years of age, it can come at different ages. I feel like I'm going to get the same type of questions. You know, I've reached the top, what have I still got? You know what I mean? But, yeah, it's time for me to show that I've still got a lot. I've still got a lot left to be done.”

McKenna has trained in the US for the majority of his pro career, and has learned his craft from some of the best in the States: Freddie Roach and Robert Garcia. During his time training in America, McKenna shared the ring with the likes of Terence Crawford in sparring. But Smith believes that sparring can teach you only so much and it’s his experience under the bright lights that will show on fight night.

“Massive, massive. That's one thing I think of him – I think he's still very green,” said Smith. “You can do all the sparring in the world, but in there's a different story, a different kettle of fish. I've said this with numerous fighters I've had over the years. I've boxed Fowler, I've said it with him. After the Fowler fight, I remember an interview I'd done, I said, ‘You can match me with’ … there was a lot of 154lbers on that bill, there was JJ Metcalfe against Kieran Conway, Ted Cheeseman versus Troy Williamson. I was like, you can match me with any one of them – It's a good fight, a better fight.

“I've sparred them all, but just experience, little gloves on, it's a big factor,” Smith continued. “Same with Sam Eggington [whom Smith stopped in 2019]. I use Sam a lot for sparring; we have very good spars. In the ring with him, with fight gloves on, in fight shape with a bit of needle, it's a different story. Yeah, I think experience and know-how will be a big factor to have in that kind of fight.”