Dennis Hogan takes ANOTHER tough fight as World Title wait continues

Irish-boxing.com

Dennis Hogan [27(7)-1(0)-1] isn’t hanging around.

The Kildare light middleweight is ranked #1 by the WBO and #3 with the IBF and has been primed for a world title shot for almost a year now.

However, with circumstances transpiring against him, Hogan has elected to take on another tough opponent as he tries to force a world title fight.

The Brisbane-based boxer has had a fight confirmed with IBF #15 Jamie Weetch [12(5)-2(0)] at the Convention Centre in his adopted home city on Saturday December 15th.

Weetch, originally from Wales, has followed a path similar to Hogan, relocating to Australia, Perth specifically, and moving down through the weights.

Following two early career defeats, the Newport man linked up with Dublin manager, and former minnimumweight boxer, Anto Connolly. Since then he has strung together a number of good wins, most notably a dominant points decision over former Hogan opponent Yao Yi Ma of Taiwan which saw him pick up the IBF Pan Pacific title. This belt, along with Hogan’s WBO Intercontinental title, will be on the line in December.

Hogan has been on a strong run since his WBA interim title defeat to Jack Culcay in 2015. Winning and defending the WBO Oriental belt in 2016 versus Samuel Colomban and Yao Yi Ma respectively, Hogan then suffered a frustrating period of inactivity due to contractual issues.

Linking up with new coach Glenn Rushton and bringing long-time sponsor Paul Keegan aboard in a promotional capacity the form of DDP Sports, ‘The Hurricane’ has really kicked on. Last October he outclassed Japanese champ Yuki Nonaka and the path seemed clear for a world title shot.

Miguel Cotto was to defend his WBO belt in a farewell fight versus Sadam Ali and Hogan and mandatory challenger Liam Smith would do battle for the vacant title assuming the Puerto Rican legend defeated the unfancied Ali. Alas, Cotto was defeated and Smith moved in line to challenge the new champ.

In that time, Hogan took on another top-ranked opponent in Jimmy Kelly in April, outmanoeuvring the Englishman and seemingly setting himself up for the Ali-Smith winner. Of course, this didn’t go to plan, with Smith pulling out of the fight with an allergic reaction and late stand-in Jaime Munguia sensationally dominating Ali to further delay things for the 33-year-old.

Smith, still the mandatory, then challenged Munguia, losing on points after a gallant effort as Hogan waited patiently on the sidelines.

The fearsome Munguia, despite call-outs from Hogan, elected to face Brandon Cook next in a voluntary defence and, with the Irishman remaining the #1-ranked fighter but not the official mandatory, he has decided to return to the ring as he looks to further strengthen his claim for a title shot.

Further details of the card, such as undercard and viewing information, will be revealed in due course.

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