McKenna vs Laws Predictions: ‘Hitman’ sets his sights on Oakwell

Ireland’s ‘Hitman’ Stephen McKenna takes on Joe Laws this Saturday, August 3 at Barnsley FC’s Oakwell ground. The super welterweight battle sits on the undercard of Zak Chelli’s British and Commonwealth super middleweight title defence against Callum Simpson. Sky Sports Action will broadcast the card live.

Here are my McKenna vs Laws predictions ahead of this tasty undercard clash.

McKenna was a remarkable amateur, winning gold at the Youth Commonwealth Games, the Haringey Cup and silver at the World Youth Championships. The Monaghan man has translated his success into the pros thus far, racking up a 14-0 record with 13 knockouts. Nobody has extended the ‘Hitman’ since Moussa Gary in 2021.

Despite his rangy body and height, with McKenna measuring over six-foot, the Irishman is all-action in the ring. His outings are injected with a relentlessness when he smells blood and hands fast enough to punish those in front of him. Once the fists fly, few survive in there with the 27-year-old.

A win over former WBO European champion Darren Tetley last time out in front of the Sky cameras put McKenna on some radars. Now he gets a stadium bow against Laws. McKenna’s career started under the employ of Golden Boy, with his initial fights taking place in the States. Now he is embedded in British rings, looking to make a name for himself against talent from the burgeoning UK scene.

Laws is one such talent. A brave, fan-pleasing boxer who never backs down. He is the perfect test for this stage of McKenna’s development. A thrilling upset win over Michael Hennessy Jr. last time out has earned Laws this chance at Oakwell. It is a chance the 14-2 campaigner will take with both fists.

‘The Benwell Bomber’ has let McKenna know exactly what he thinks of him during a fractious build-up. While enmity can often feel put-on during fight week, Laws and Ireland’s ‘Hitman’ really do not seem to like each other. Their verbal jousting feels less like a bid for social engagement and more like a simmering dislike on the verge of boiling over.

That genuine distaste for one another, coupled with their attack-minded styles could make this a real highlight of the Barnsley card. This one feels made-to-thrill. Let’s hope these two warring super welterweights live up to the billing.

McKenna vs Laws Fight Odds

McKenna is 1/16 to make it 15 wins from 15 fights here. Laws lags behind at odds of 7/1. The draw is priced up at 20/1.

McKenna vs Laws Full Card

Zak Chelli vs. Callum Simpson; For Chelli's British and Commonwealth super middleweight titles Caroline Dubois vs. Maira Moneo; Women's lightweight 

Stephen McKenna vs. Joe Laws; Light middleweight 

Connor Coyle vs. Kyle Lomotey; Middleweight 

Mauro Silva vs. Dale Arrowsmith; Middleweight 

Joel Kodua vs. John Henry Mosquera; Welterweight 

Billy Deniz vs. Khalid Graidia; Light heavyweight

McKenna vs Laws Prediction

I think McKenna has this one well in hand. His size advantage and superior power will be too much for Laws. The latter has been knocked out before, with Rylan Charlton wiping him out in three rounds. 

That was an upset and a surprise, but McKenna doing similar will not be. I am going for a McKenna knockout at 1/3. 

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