Dennis Hogan reflects on loss to Jermall Charlo!
When super welterweight Dennis “Hurricane” Hogan (28-3-1, 7 KO’s) jumped up to middleweight, everyone knew the odds were stacked against him. Yet, the chance to challenge for Jermall “Hit Man” Charlo’s (30-0, 22 KO’s) WBC world middleweight belt was too alluring to look past. Unfortunately for him, all the assumptions regarding the difference in size and power became immediately evident once in the ring!
OVER-MATCHED AND OUT-GUNNED
Even Hogan himself has admitted that from the start, he knew the middleweight champion’s power was going to be a problem. It was a problem that saw him knocked down in the fourth round and then knocked out in the seventh. Despite the pair of trips to the canvas, Hogan handled himself well during the fight and displayed class afterwards.
At no time has the Hurricane offered any excuses or offered any out of the way alibis. The proud Irishman acknowledges his attempt to achieve something grand. He has also announced that he’ll be moving right back down to super welterweight in an interview with Fight Hub TV. This is certainly the most prudent move that he could make at this time.
“It started well. You know I could really feel that that middleweight power when he landed that first shot. And then he knew he had that little bit of advantage there.
“[On his next fight] It won’t be at middleweight for sure, it’ll be at light middleweight. We gave it a shot, dared to be great but I was found wanting when it came to strength and power, especially against Charlo.”
MISHANDLED THEN MAULED
Many believe that Hogan was cheated out of his rightful championship reign during his prizefight with Jaime Munguia (34-0, 27 KO’s). In April 2019, the two fought one another in Mexico, Munguia’s homeland.
Here, the Hurricane was saddled with his second professional loss via unanimous decision. After doing well more than needed to prevail, the judges on hand allowed Munguia to retain his WBO super welterweight belt.
Following his roughhouse loss from Charlo, he will resume trying his luck in the 154lbs division. It will be interesting to see how much success he enjoys when he does so. Throughout the match with the Hit Man, Hogan displayed an impressive wealth of in-ring skills. So long as he maintains his focus and drive, Hogan should be able to obtain a meaningful prizefight very soon.
“Stephen Espinoza came up. The main guy from SHOWTIME, and said ‘big props’ because no one will fight him at 160 anyways, barely anyone. So for me to come up from 154, was I suppose, you know, it was good and they said anytime you want to come back, you’ll have a fight here any time.
“I’ll go back, I’ll regroup. I’ll rest up for a while, spend time with my daughter and parents and come back down to 154 and start again next year.”
By: Bakari Simpson
