Hogan fighting the odds again in second shot at world title

EVER since his schooldays in Kilcullen, Co Kildare, Dennis Hogan has struggled against the odds. So it’s second nature to him to again be cast in the role of underdog for tonight’s WBC world middleweight title fight against unbeaten holder Jermall Charlo.

Now based in Brisbane, Australia, Hogan (34) came within a whisker of achieving his lifetime ambition of landing a world title when he dropped a controversial majority decision to unbeaten Mexican Jaime Munguia in the latter’s home city of Monterrey last April.

Munguia’s WBO world light middleweight belt was up for grabs that night. Few expected Hogan to last the distance – never mind win the fight. Predictably, the promised rematch never materialised.

But Hogan’s heroism did not go unnoticed. It helped him secure this lucrative fight against Charlo, who is making the second defence of his 160lb crown.

“It is good money but that’s not important. I want to win that world title. Ever since I took up boxing I’ve had my dreams and ambitions and have always achieved my goals.

Power

“Hopefully Charlo will take me for granted but regardless I’m ready for the challenge. I’ve got an extra snap on my punches right now. The power is there. I’m strong. I’m not having to dehydrate as much and that’s going to make all the difference.”

It will be an emotional night for Hogan as his Kilkenny-born partner Brideen is unable to travel from Australia – she is seven months pregnant with the couple’s second child.

Hogan’s dream is to defend a world belt in Dublin but even if he upsets the odds he faces a rematch against the formidable Charlo, whose twin brother Jermell is also a former world champion.

Hogan’s coach Glenn Rushton, who supervised the final stages of his training camp in Fort Lauderdale, is one of the shrewdest in the business and masterminded Jeff Horn’s famous win over Manny Pacquiao in 2017.

The history of pro boxing is littered with upsets and Hogan will be hoping to get the rub of the green in the early hours of tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Donegal middleweight Jason Quigley rebooted his pro career in California on Thursday night when he stopped Araham Cordero.

Now trained by former world middleweight champion Andy Lee, this was Quigley’s first fight since losing his unbeaten record last July. He is now likely to make his return to the ring in February.