Dennis Hogan will bounce into the home straight of his long journey inspired by stable mate Jeff Horn.

Dennis Hogan will bounce into the home straight of his long journey to become a world champion boxer inspired by the deeds of his stable mate Jeff Horn.

Dennis Hogan will bounce into the home straight of his long journey to become a world champion boxer inspired by the deeds of his stable mate Jeff Horn.

Hogan, who turned 34 last Friday, will confront undefeated World Boxing Organization junior-middleweight (70kg) champion Jaime Munguia in Monterey, Mexico, on April 13.

Glenn Rushton and Dennis Hogan and Jeff Horn. Pic Annette Dew

It has been a long and winding road for the Irishman who grew up in the school of hard knocks before having his boxing skills polished by his trainer Glenn Rushton at the Stretton Boxing Club.

$1 FOR 28 DAYS: SUBSCRIBE TO SOUTHERN STAR & THE COURIER MAIL

And on his journey Hogan watched in awe when his colleague Horn beat Manny Pacquiao in the Battle of Brisbane in 2017.

It installed belief in Hogan that with hard work, dreams can come true.

Dennis Hogan a recent win with trainer Glenn Rushton. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

“One of the best days I ever had was the day Jeff came to beat Manny Pacquiao,’’ Hogan said.

“That whole day, it still gives me goose bumps to think what went on, to think that I could be emulating that and very very soon. It is pushing me on also.’’

Hogan’s respect for Horn is mutual, with Horn saying Hogan was the “the hardest worker, any of the guys in the gym know that’’.

“He is an absolute champion inside and outside the gym,’’ praised Horn.