Irish teenager stops opponent with devastating first round finish

18-year-old Monaghan boxer Aaron McKenna extended his professional record to 2-0 with a brutal stoppage of Jose Palacios at the Indio’s Fantasy Springs Casino in California on Thursday night.

The eight-time Irish champion and European Schoolboys gold medalist obliterated Palacios after the opening bell to add to his stylish unanimous-decision debut victory over 1-0 Travis Conley in December. McKenna was originally supposed to fight Mexican fighter Adolfo Caro on the undercard of Ronny Rios vs. Azat Hovhannisyan at The Hangar in Costa Mesa on March 9, however, after that fight fell through, McKenna scheduled a fight with Palacios that was broadcast live on ESPN Deportes. https://twitter.com/Grabaka_Hitman/status/976996051830833153 The Smithborough sensation smashed the Colorado with a devastating combination after backing him up onto the ropes. McKenna moved out to Los Angeles last year to train with former heavyweight Courage Tshabalala at Santa Monica's Iron Gym. He is currently the youngest fighter signed to Golden Boy Promotions while he is managed by Sheer Sports management, who also manage the career of Golden Boy stablemate and Donegal middleweight Jason ‘El Animal’ Quigley.