Sugar Ray Leonard believes the future is bright for Irish teen

Fight legend Sugar Ray Leonard believes Aaron McKenna [4(3)-0] has a great future in boxing.

The fighter who collected world titles across five weight divisions and is regarded as an all time great got to witness Ireland’s youngest pro in action from a ringside vantage point last week and was certainly impressed.

The 18-year-old Monaghan welter won for the fourth time since turning over in December in Santa Monica on a Sugar Leonard Charity Fight Night and the most decorated of the famous ‘Four Kings’ liked what he saw.

The Golden Boy prospect dominated and stopped Darel Harris to make it three knockouts on the trot. McKenna dropped Harris in the second with a left hook and the badly-cut Floridian was then pulled out after three rounds.

‘Sugar Ray’ was impressed with ‘The Silencer’s’ body work and believes the young Irishman has the tools to carve out a successful career.

Speaking to Balls.ie Leonard noted that “what I saw that impressed me about Aaron when he competed at my charity event was his focus and his body attack. I want to tell to Aaron to keep it up, stay in shape and don’t ever take anyone lightly in that ring.”

“I see a great future in Aaron!”

Speaking to Irish-Boxing.com following his fight McKenna, whose brother Stevie is also embarking on a pro journey on the U.S. West Coast, revealed the Hall of Fame fighter had delivered praise personally.

“He congratulated me and said I was very strong for the weight,” explained the Smithborough slugger.

Leonard isn’t the only former world champion and world boxing star to have a fondness for the baby faced killer. The Golden Boy himself, Oscar De La Hoya, saw enough to add McKenna to a stable which also features Jason Quigley and Spike O’Sullivan and said previously that McKenna “is one of Golden Boy’s most promising future stars.”