'He's always welcome': How a young Irish boxer befriended Kendrick Lamar
Summary
Aaron McKenna, an Irish boxer from County Monaghan, became friends with famous rapper Kendrick Lamar while training in Los Angeles in 2018. McKenna is now preparing for a world title fight in Dublin in August 2026 and said Lamar is always welcome to spar at his family gym.Key Facts
- Aaron McKenna met Kendrick Lamar in a Los Angeles gym where they trained and sparred together in 2018.
- McKenna was a teenager with few professional fights when they met; he is now 26 and training for a world title bout.
- Kendrick Lamar, a well-known US rapper, attended one of McKenna’s fights and wished him luck before the match.
- McKenna’s brother Stephen is also a boxer and was part of the initial meeting with Lamar.
- The friendship continued until McKenna returned to Ireland during the Covid-19 pandemic.
- McKenna will fight Etinosa Oliha in Dublin in August for the vacant IBF middleweight world title.
- Kendrick Lamar won five Grammy Awards in 2025 and headlined the Super Bowl halftime show the same year.
- McKenna says Lamar is always welcome to come spar at the family gym in Monaghan.
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