Tim Tszyu Proves He’s Ready for a World Title Shot With His Destruction of Dennis Hogan!
Tim Tszyu (18-0, 14 KOs) is a legacy fighter. He’s the son of Hall of Fame inductee champion Kostya Tszyu. The 26-year-old from Rockdale, New South Wales, Australia is trying to carve out a legacy of his own.
He is the spitting image of his father in looks and fighting style. He’s coolly calculated and is strong as an ox while carrying big-time power in both hands. He likes to come forward, swarm and chop his prey down. Because most of his fights have ended by stoppage, his overall ability is a bit underrated. Upon close evaluation, he’s technically sound with all-around skills. If there was a way to describe him, the young Tszyu is a “power-boxer.”
Dennis Hogan (28-4-1, 7 KOs) is a bit deceiving. He’s lost his last two fights, however, don’t mistake that for someone on the decline.
In April 2019, he challenged then-WBO world junior middleweight champ, Jaime Munguia. Fighting the champion in his home country of Mexico, Hogan gave him pure hell. He lost by majority decision, but more than a few observers felt the victory should have gone in the challenger’s favor.
Hogan went onward and upward in his next fight. Moving up to 160 pounds, he faced WBC world middleweight champion Jermall Charlo in December 2019. Unfortunately for the 36 year-old from Kildare, Ireland, Charlo was just too big, strong, and powerful. The Irishman was TKO’d in seven rounds.
Tszyu vs Hogan is a vital fight for a multitude of reasons. Ranked 1st by the WBO and 3rd by the IBF at junior middleweight, Tszyu is on the verge of a world title shot. He has already been considered the next challenger for WBO champion Brian Castano. Meanwhile, Hogan is moving back down to junior middleweight looking for one last world title push.
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ON THE HUNT EARLY
Tszyu was in seek and destroy mode from the start. He stalked in hopes of getting home with power punches. At times he was anxious and tried to get greedy. One thing was clear, Tszyu was the physically stronger and more powerful man. He stunned Hogan in round three from a fusillade of shots to the head and body. However, his aggression would lead to a cut over the left eye in the second round due to a clash of heads.
This did not deter Tsyzu from dominating using his youth and physicality. He began to bombard Hogan with overhand rights and left hooks to the body. The former world title challenger was showing the effects of the punishment.
COOL AND CALCULATING
In the fifth, Tszyu lowered the boom! Forty-five seconds into the round, a wicked counter-left uppercut put Hogan flat on his knees. Instead of rushing in for the finish, Tszyu showed maturity and started to size him up. You could tell the end was near.
With thirty-one seconds to go, Hogan was cornered along the ropes. Tszyu connected with another overhand right-left uppercut combination. It was at this point that Hogan’s corner had seen enough and waved in the towel.
This is what you call a statement win. Team Tszyu has their eyes on a showdown with current WBO world junior Brian Castano. Based on his performance against Hogan, Tim Tszyu is more than ready for a world title opportunity.
By: Michael Wilson Jr.
