McKenna vs Oliha and Walsh vs Denny big-fight predictions

Experts have their say ahead of the Aaron McKenna vs Etinosa Oliha middleweight world championship clash and Callum Walsh’s crucial clash with Tyler Denny, live on Sky Sports from 7pm.

Aaron McKenna vs Etinosa Oliha

Chris Billam-Smith (former cruiserweight champion): McKenna’s got so much to his game I think. He’s shown he can box a bit but he’s got an intensity and a workrate. He punches hard enough to get people’s respect. We saw a lot from him in the Liam Smith fight, of what he can do. I will pick him to win. Probably on points but he could overwhelm him as well.

Johnny Nelson (former cruiserweight champion): Aaron McKenna gets an inside-the-distance stoppage win I think. His engine, his pace will be too much.

Oliha can’t afford to get hit too easily because McKenna won’t leave you alone. It’s a good fight, especially for McKenna boxing in Dublin for the first time in his professional career.

I think McKenna in the first half of the fight.

Johnny Fisher (heavyweight star): McKenna’s been based in America for a little while, this is now his homecoming fight. Tremendous amateur record, hopefully that pedigree comes through. I think this crowd will give him that extra lift. If he uses that crowd and doesn’t let it be detrimental to him, that’s what’s going to carry him over the line.

Callum Walsh (middleweight contender): I presume that Aaron will win. It’s a big night, a big opportunity for him to go out there and perform and to win the world title in Dublin. I think he will.

Connor Coyle (middleweight contender): I think McKenna will win, I think he’ll win on points. I know McKenna’s boxing, I’ve known him growing up through Irish boxing. That’s why I know he’s a good boxer.

I think he’ll become IBF world champion on Saturday night.

Sam Hickey (middleweight prospect): Oliha, he’s obviously a good level but I think Aaron McKenna will get the job done. Aaron’s a good fighter. He’s got pedigree.

It’s a kind of a new breed of middleweight coming through.

Patrick O’Connor (cruiserweight prospect): I think Aaron McKenna will win by decision. From what I see, I think Aaron is going to beat him on points, maybe late stoppage. It’s going to be great for Irish boxing to have a world champion, it’s a big thing.

Owen O’Neill (middleweight fighter): McKenna on points. He’s a very technical boxer, he’s very smart and he’s very good. I’ve been in there with him [in sparring] and he’s tall, he’s got big arms and he punches hard too.

Callum Walsh vs Tyler Denny

Billam-Smith: The Callum Walsh fight is interesting. I know Tyler, I’ve watched him a lot over the years and he always brings it. And if you’re not on your game and you switch off and your head’s elsewhere, he’ll beat you.

He’s a good fighter. He’s shown it. His first breakout win was Brad Rea, a really good win at the time.

He’s not affected by his losses. He’s been beat, come back and won and he’s looked good doing so. So it’s a really interesting one. I can’t really pick a winner because I know how good Callum is but nothing would surprise me in that fight.

Nelson: On paper you’d lean towards Walsh because of where he’s at in his career, but then you look at what Tyler Denny’s done, the heads he’s snatched because they’ve looked through him, looked past him. This is going to be a test of Walsh’s heart, Walsh’s desire. Because Tyler Denny is not one of those guys that folds easily.

I’d lean towards Tyler, but on points.

Fisher: Denny can very quickly make a fight go on to his terms in a positive way for him. If he drags you into that sort of fight it’s going to be a hard night’s work.

If he establishes his jab, fights at range, it’s Walsh’s fight to win. I pick Walsh but I like Tyler Denny, I like his tenacity. He’s fought some of the top guys in the division. Although I pick Walsh I wouldn’t be surprised if it goes the other way.

Hickey: Tyler Denny’s a good fighter, he can make people look average. If you’re not on your best night he can make a mess of the fight. Look at his last fight with George Liddard, it was a close one.

That’s an interesting fight because Callum Walsh has obviously made his career over in America. You’ll really see the level that Walsh is at. It’s different because when you move up the levels, fighters can take the power. If Walsh is a serious puncher he can maybe get him out of there but he’s moving up the levels so he might end up having to go the rounds and we’ll see how good a fighter he is.

Coyle: I’ve watched both of them guys fight. I know Callum has power. Coming up from 154lbs, I don’t know what his power’s like at middleweight so that’ll be an interesting fight. I can’t predict that one. But after I take care of business on Saturday I’ll be ready for whoever they want.

O’Connor: I see Callum Walsh winning that one too, by decision. I think he can go all the way.

I’ll start off with a big knockout [to open the show] and watch the rest of the fights.

O’Neill: Callum Walsh by knockout. I’ve watched Callum and I think he’ll knock him out. I just know how good Callum is. Denny is very experienced. I suppose this is Callum’s big test with someone who’s been in there and done it. I’m looking forward to it.

Watch Aaron McKenna and Etinosa Oliha fight for the IBF world middleweight title in Dublin on Saturday, live on Sky Sports. Get Sky Sports or stream boxing with no contract.