Las Vegas-based Zuffa Boxing’s big Aug. 8 card at Dublin’s 3Arena continues to take shape with the addition of two popular Irish fighters with U.S. connections -- light heavyweight title contender “Mighty” Joe Ward and undefeated middleweight Connor Coyle.
A 2016 Olympian from Athlone, six of whose 13 professional fights have been at New York’s Madison Square Garden, Ward ends a two-year layoff with a 10-rounder against the unbeaten Artjom Kasparian.
Ward [12-1, 8 KOs] has won 12 consecutive fights since suffering a dislocated left knee against Marco Delgado in his 2019 professional debut. He avenged that loss to Delgado in 2021 and has won four straight by stoppage. Kasparian [14-0, 12 KOs], who was born in Russia, raised in the Netherlands, and now fights out of Altrincham, England, has knocked out his last seven foes.
Coyle [22-0, 10 KOs], meanwhile, makes his first appearance in Dublin since 2017. He squares off with upset-minded American Mark Beuke [13-3, 7 KOs] also in a scheduled 10-rounder.
A Derryman, Coyle usually trains and fights out of Florida.
In other bouts on the Zuffa show, rising Irish-American cruiserweight Patrick O’Connor [3-0, 3 KOs] meets fellow unbeaten Ibrahim Mercan [6-0-1] in a six-rounder. O’Connor was a 2024 U.S. National Champion as an amateur before turning pro in June 2025.
The main event is a 12-round middleweight world title showdown between Las Angeles-based Monaghan transplant Aaron McKenna [20-0, 10 KOs] and Italy’s Etinosa Oliha [22-0, 10 KOs].
In the 10-round middleweight co-feature, Irish fan favorite “King” Callum Walsh [16-0, 11 KOs] returns to 3Arena to face Tyler Denny [21-4-3, 1 KO].
McKenna’s IBF championship clash with Oliha will be the first middleweight world title fight on Irish soil in more than three decades. It will also mark the first fight for McKenna in his homeland, where he was a stellar amateur with more than 150 wins and eight national championships.
The Monaghan native, who’s 26 and ranked #2 by the IBF, returns to the ring following a dominating decision victory over former world champion Liam Smith in London, England in April 2025. McKenna is also ranked #10 by the World Boxing Council [WBC].
Ranked #2 by the IBF, Oliha is a year older and will be hoping to spoil McKenna's homecoming. He’s beaten the four previous undefeated fighters that he’s faced as a professional career.
Walsh, meanwhile, returns to the 3Arena for the first time since a memorable second-round knockout victory over Przemyslaw Runowski in 2024. A southpaw, the 25-year-old Walsh is ranked #6 by the IBF and #12 by the WBC.
The preliminary card includes a middleweight bout featuring Stevie McKenna [16-1, 15 KOs], Aaron’s older brother. He takes on Owen O’Neill [14-2, 1 KO] in an all-Irish eight-rounder.
Zuffa Boxing was founded by Dana White, CEO of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, and Turki Al-Sheikh, Chairman of the Saudi Arabian General Entertainment Authority.
The entire card will stream live on Paramount+ at no additional cost in the U.S., Latin America, Brazil, and Canada.
Sky Sports will broadcast the event in the UK and Ireland.
