“I donβt think Luke realised how hurt he really was,” said McKenna when speaking to Sky Sports. “There was over a minute left on the clock.
“If he had been an aggressive-style fighter, another fighter would have got him out of there, like Gervonta Davis or Teofimo Lopez. Luke is more of a stand-off fighter, itβs not in his nature to be aggressive and come forward.
“Garcia was badly hurt. If I had been in there, I would have got Garcia out of there, if I had him hurt like that.
“At that time, I didnβt think he had any power. During our spar he was a lot of tap, tap, and he was moving a lot. He was going from corner to corner.
βHe looks like he was punching hard now at the minute, so he has worked on his power and his strength. He looks like he has a good punch, and he fought a good fight. When I first sparred with Ryan, I was still an amateur. Heβd had 18 fights.
“Over this past year now, Iβm hitting harder and harder. Iβm getting stronger every day in the gym. Iβm working savagely hard and Iβll be ready for Ryan Garcia whenever the time comes. Iβd fight him tomorrow, if I had the chance.”
Photo credit:Stevie McKenna Facebook page