Dennis Hogan promises explosive title fight against Jermall Charlo

Fans could be in for a treat in the Dennis Hogan v Jermall Charlo world title fight, with both boxers saying the bout will be explosive.

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Brisbane’s Fighting Irishman Dennis Hogan is a huge underdog for his world middleweight title fight against Jermall Charlo in New York on Sunday but is ready to show all the mongrel in the world against the big, unbeaten Texan.

Hogan’s dream to be a world champion started as a small boy blazing away in oversized boxing gloves in a draughty old army barracks near Dublin where his grandfather Paddy Burke trained a top team of Irish amateur champions.

He has gone the distance in his two previous world title fights but plans on it being third time lucky in New York on Sunday afternoon (Australian time).

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Boxer Dennis Hogan. Picture: Annette Dew

``We’re both professional athletes and we’re going to give the fans a great fight,’’ said Hogan, 34. ``One of us is going to walk away with the WBC belt and I truly believe it will be me.

“You’re going to see something explosive. I like fighting against taller fighters. It gives me more target and more opportunity to be elusive and show variations. I’m going to use my size to my advantage.’’

Charlo, 29, wearing a three-piece green velvet suit, a black fur hat and black framed glasses at Thursday’s press conference, has other ideas. He’s not worried about the small army of fans from Australia and Hogan’s native Ireland who threaten to raise the roof in Brooklyn on Sunday.

Jermall Charlo speaking ahead of his world title fight with Dennis Hogan. Picture: YouTube

``I believe I have something to deliver to Hogan that he hasn’t seen before,’’ said Charlo, who at 183cm has a 10cm height advantage. ``I’m back to my most explosive days. My training has been awesome. If I hit him I’ll flush him.

Dennis Hogan stands over Jamie Weetch in their junior-middleweight bout at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on December 15, 2018. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

``Hogan is real confident and he’s bringing Ireland and Australia with him. But I believe I have something to deliver that Hogan has never seen before. I’m back to my most explosive days in boxing. I feel great about my training and the way I prepared myself to get this victory.’’

Charlo says the fight will be tougher than anything Hogan has experienced.

“My daughter’s birth has given me even more motivation to knock this guy out and when you come to Brooklyn, you’re coming to my house. They all say the same thing until they have to get in there with me,’’ Charlo said.

“If Hogan says he’s more powerful at middleweight, than he’s going to come to fight and stay in the pocket. If he comes to box, I’ll come to fight, and if he comes to fight I’ll be able to box him.

``I’m going to come with a vicious attack. If he can hold it, then I’m going to try again later in the night. However the game plan plays out, I’m going to stop him.’’