Stephen McKenna ended his 539-day absence from the ring with a devastating stoppage of Casey James Streeter in Bournemouth, earlier than renewing his confrontation with “boring” rival Lee Cutler.
McKenna (16-1) wanted simply 64 seconds to despatch Streeter, instantly touchdown vicious mixtures and wobbling him with an enormous left hook earlier than knocking him down with a string of heavy photographs.
The Irishman continued to dominate and an extra wave of punches noticed the referee wave the battle off in simply over a minute, with the early stoppage a fifteenth knockout of McKenna’s profession and the proper response to his December 2024 loss to Cutler.
“I just couldn’t wait to get in there,” McKenna advised Sky Sports activities. “For 539 days I stood outside the ring. I’m just happy to be back, stronger than ever. I always go for the knockout. He [Streeter] tried to meet fire with fire, but it was only going to go one way.”
McKenna lived as much as his pre-fight prediction of profitable contained in the opening spherical and is now set to characteristic on residence soil at Zuffa Boxing’s Dublin present on August 8, though he dismissed the thought of going through Cutler and avenging the one lack of his skilled profession.
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Lee Cutler floored Stephen McKenna twice and celebrated victory with a worm breakdance transfer throughout their 2024 encounter
“Forget about him [Cutler],” McKenna insisted. “I’m after bigger things than him. Who wants to watch him? He’s boring. I built up his whole career. Nobody knew him. Let him go his own way. He won’t last long.”
Dwelling favorite Cutler noticed his middleweight contest with Aaron Sutton lower quick when a strong proper hand left his opponent with a dislocated shoulder, leading to a third-round TKO victory.
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Lee Cutler secured the TKO victory over Aaron Sutton after the Englishman was pressured to drag out of the battle with a dislocated shoulder
Cutler’s victory got here in his first look again since his controversial loss to Sam Eggington final April, with the Bournemouth man now eager for the chance to defeat McKenna once more.
When requested who he want to battle subsequent, Cutler advised Sky Sports activities: “There’s one individual. He is huge. He is pink. His tooth stick out his head. Steve McKenna! Dublin? Let’s go. Let’s do it.
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Forward of his Saturday evening battle in opposition to Aaron Sutton, Lee Cutler took the chance to have a dig at earlier opponent Stephen McKenna
“You want me to go to Dublin to give you the best opportunity? Let’s do it. I’ll sell more tickets than you.”
All three judges had the competition degree after two rounds earlier than the stoppage, with Cutler dissatisfied to not have the chance to see out victory on his personal phrases.
“After the Eggington fight, I believe I was robbed of a clinical victory again,” Cutler added. “I assumed I used to be going to stroll this man down and beat him up.
“Accidents happen and respect to him for staying in there. It’s a shame what happened. I’ve seen it in sparring with shoulders, but the shot buzzed him before the shoulder came out.”
What’s subsequent?
Additional Zuffa Boxing exhibits are scheduled in Las Vegas on June 28 and New York on July 26 forward of their first Irish present in Dublin on August 8, with all three reside and unique within the UK and Eire on Sky Sports activities.
Zuffa Boxing 08 in Las Vegas consists of Edwin De Los Santos going through Jose ‘Rayo’ Valenzuela in a 10-round rematch of their memorable 2022 fight-of-the-year contender, whereas the line-up for the New York present has but to be introduced. Get Sky Sports activities or stream boxing with no contract.
