Boxing: Dennis Hogan ready to rock Wade Ryan and earn another shot at a world title

Dennis Hogan’s desperate world-title dream is morphing into reality again — three years after the Ireland-born, Brisbane-based boxer was dudded on the global stage.

Talk about luck of the Irish.

Dennis Hogan’s desperate world-title dream is morphing into reality again — three years after the Ireland-born, Brisbane-based boxer was dudded on the global stage in the biggest bout of his career.

Hogan celebrated his 37th birthday on Tuesday. It is an age when most boxers are plunging into the pugilistic scrapheap.

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Instead, Hogan is far from finished and will get the ultimate birthday wish when he steps into the ring with tough-as-nails Wade Ryan as the co-main event to Nikita Tszyu’s professional debut at Brisbane’s Nissan Arena on Thursday night.

The super welterweight showdown doubles as an IBO world-title eliminator. Should Hogan dispose of Ryan, he will earn another shot at winning the world-title crown he was cruelly denied in his Mexican mugging in 2019.

Dennis Hogan sparring with Joe Goodall at the Webstrong Gym in Pinkenba. Picture: Annette Dew

Hogan produced the fight of his life in his WBO world-title epic against Mexican sensation Jaime Munguia. Many boxing pundits believed Hogan won on points, only for ‘Hurricane’ to be left shattered when Munguia escaped in his backyard with a majority decision.

The loss could have easily broken Hogan’s spirit. But the hard-working veteran refused to give up on his dream and the world-title flame will flicker again if he edges out the resurgent Ryan (20-9, 7KO) on his Brisbane home turf.

“I’m delighted to be getting this world-title eliminator,” said Hogan (29-4-1, 7KO), whose career looked on the ropes after he lost to Tim Tszyu last March.

“I’ve had world-title fights and I’m so happy that I’m back on track for a world championship once again.

Dennis Hogan wants another shot at a world title. Picture: Annette Dew

“For me, I had to get momentum again and I’ve done that (with his win over Tommy Browne in November).

“My resilience in boxing hasn’t changed. My tenacity is there. I still believe I can be a world champion. I’ve hit my stride again, I’m injury-free and it’s all back in front of my eyes again.”

Hogan is mindful that Gunnedah gladiator Ryan has the hot hand.

The 32-year-old is shooting for his fifth straight victory, but Hogan is ready to deliver the knockout blow to Ryan’s world-title ambitions.

“Wade is doing exceptionally well,” Hogan said.

“He is on a good trajectory and a nice winning streak always boosts your confidence.

“He is in the best phase of his career and it’s exciting for me.

“Wade has pretty much fought domestically, but I’ve been overseas and faced world-class opponents. That experience will make the difference on the night.

“I believe this fight will be mine.”

Zerafa’s bold claims reignite Tszyu feud

Michael Zerafa has launched a savage attack on Tim Tszyu as a fresh feud broke out between the warring duo on the eve of Nikita Tszyu’s professional boxing debut in Brisbane.

Nikita’s much-anticipated pro debut against Aaron Stahl has been delayed 24 hours until Thursday night due to the flood crisis that has forced promoters to abandon the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.

As promoters No Limit Boxing scramble to find a new venue, Tim Tszyu reignited his war of words with Zerafa, claiming Nikita would “bash” ‘Pretty Boy’ on his way to becoming Australia’s next boxing superstar.

Michael Zerafa is due back in the ring in April.

But Zerafa hit back at the Tszyu camp, sensationally alleging Nikita is being “towelled up” in sparring and setting the record straight on what really happened when he pulled out of his superfight with Tim last July.

On Sunday, Tim couldn’t resist giving Zerafa an uppercut as he praised Nikita, saying: “I can’t wait to see Australia’s reaction to this kid fighting.

“I reckon Nikita bashes Michael Zerafa now.”

That assessment predictably went down like a lead balloon with Zerafa, who will return to the ring on April 20 for a middleweight blockbuster against Brisbane dynamo Issac ‘Headsplitter’ Hardman (12-0, 10KO) in Melbourne.

“Tim Tszyu makes me out to be the bad guy and the villain, now he is throwing his poor brother under the bus,” Zerafa said.

“I haven’t said a word up until now, but if Tim wants to bring my name up again and say his brother will bash me, I will fire back.

“The intel I’m getting from people in boxing is that Nikita is nothing like his old man. He is getting hurt and bashed in light sparring sessions.

Nikita Tszyu is set to make his professional boxing debut this week.

Nikita has Tim in his corner for his big fight this week.

“Because of that, they’ve had to ease up on sparring because Nikita is struggling.

“No disrespect to Nikita, but I know nothing about him. I didn’t even know Tim had a younger brother. He hasn’t had one professional fight and Tim is saying Nikita will clean out the entire division and knock me out.

“Tim wastes his time putting s*** on me and now he hangs his own brother out to dry.

“I would destroy Nikita, 100 per cent. I am several levels above his standard. Seriously, it’s embarrassing.

“Nikita apparently hasn’t fought for five years, but because of his dad’s famous surname, the Tszyus have some power and ammunition.

“If my dad was Mike Tyson, doors would open for me, too.”

Zerafa’s last-minute decision to withdraw against Tszyu last July caused outrage in Australian boxing circles. There is a view Zerafa’s name is now mud with broadcast bosses at Fox’s Main Event, who were due to televise the grudge match.

Tim Tszyu reckons his younger brother could beat Michael Zerafa.

But Zerafa, who has 29 wins from 33 bouts and been stopped just once in his 11-year career, lifted the lid on suggestions he was running scared of Tszyu.

“Tim has tried to paint this picture that I dogged it and chickened out of our fight. What a load of garbage,” he said.

“The truth is I asked for my fight with Tim to be rescheduled due to the Covid pandemic, which was a reasonable request, and the Tszyu camp wasn’t prepared to compromise.

“I never dogged it.

“Important members of my team couldn’t travel because of the Covid pandemic and I made that clear to the Tszyu people. All I asked for was for the date to be changed. I never pulled out. Dates get changed all the time during Covid.

“I’ve had 33 professional fights. I’ve fought overseas against a guy like Kell Brook. It’s my job to fight to make money, win, lose or draw.

“It was a $300,000 pay day (to fight Tszyu), so why would I not show up?

Michael Zerafa still harbours a desire to fight Tim Tszyu.

“It’s absurd to suggest I was scared of Tim. I still want to fight him. It’s the fight Australia wants to see and deserves. Stylistically, we are very similar. If I was scared of Tim, I wouldn’t be saying that right now.

“I am happy to fight Tim and I still want that fight.”

Tim Tszyu (20-0, 15KO) is on track for a world-title shot later this year, but Zerafa says the son of Kostya is not in the same league as Brian Castano or Jermell Charlo.

“There is no way in hell he can beat Charlo or Castano,” he said.

“Charlo was on the undercard when I fought Peter Quillin (in 2015).

“Charlo was in my changeroom. He is a freak, a beast, Tim can’t mix it with those guys.

“He is saying there will be bodies on the floor. Jesus Christ, take it easy mate. Castano and Charlo are on a different level to him, they are animals.

“Tim is biting off way more than he can chew ... but let him dream big and find out the hard way.”

Tszyu takeover gathering speed as brothers eye history

- Jamie Pandaram

In the same week younger brother Nikita will create history as the first debutant to headline a Fox Sports boxing show, Tim Tszyu is set to be confirmed as the main event act for his American breakout.

Tszyu is likely to face American Olympian Terrell Gausha on May 14 in the United States in a world title eliminator.

It is a major risk for the No.1 ranked WBO super-welterweight Tszyu, who will put his mandatory challenger position on the line by fighting Gausha in his backyard.

Tim and Nikita Tszyu have a huge few months in front of them.

The rapidly evolving situation has taken this turn after Tszyu and Gausha were originally scheduled to be the co-main event of the super-welterweight unification rematch between WBO champion Brian Castano and WBC, IBF and WBA champion Jermell Charlo in Los Angeles on March 19.

However, that unification has been postponed after Castano reportedly suffered a bicep injury, with no future date determined yet.

Instead of waiting, and rather than trying to lure Gausha to Australia, Tszyu remained adamant that he wanted to fight in the US, and the final touches are being placed on the deal, including a venue.

Tszyu’s bout in 11 weeks’ time will mark one of rare occasions where an overseas fighter will walk out to an event in the US as the ‘A side’.

While unable to confirm the fight yet, Tszyu revealed why he is willing to take such an enormous gamble in the US when he could simply sit back and wait for Charlo-Castano 2 and fight the winner.

“Live your life with thrill, live your life with risk, and good things will happen,” Tszyu said.

“I’m talking in my career, financially, I’m trying to set my family up and I’m working on building my brand and building myself, making myself better.

Terrell Gausha will provide a stiff challenge for Tim Tszyu.

“And that constant challenge that’s always there, being in training camp, feeling the struggles, they’re for these moments.”

Undefeated Tszyu (20-0, 15KO) will be looking to make a warning statement to the division against Gausha (22-2-1, 11KO).

But on Wednesday, Tszyu will be in the corner of his younger brother, Nikita as he makes his professional debut against Aaron Stahl on the Gold Coast.

“I’m nervous, but at the same time quite excited because this kid’s a beast, he’s got this killer instinct in him, he’s super skilful, he’s got all the tools,” Tszyu said.

“The best thing is he’s got this determination, he just wants to get to the top.

“I know what’s going to happen, I can’t wait to see Australia’s reaction to this kid fighting.

“I reckon Nikita bashes Michael Zerafa now.”

Tim Tszyu hasn’t fought since beating Takeshi Inoue in November.

After a promising amateur career, Nikita spent six years out of the ring to complete a university degree, but says he is now ready for the bright lights of pro boxing.

“That kind of pressure sharpens me,” Nikita Tszyu said.

“The times I’ve started to get a little too cocky and confident, I started to lose myself. So the pressure of constantly being in the spotlight, it will sharpen me.

“I had to go back to basics, but in doing that I’ve gotten to sharpen my tools much better and have more in-depth perspective on how I want to fight.

“I expected the hard work rate, but it’s a shock to the body having to do it day in, day out.

“It’s super exciting that I get to see Tim develop into who he is. Over the last few years, the development is unreal, I’m super proud of him and really fortunate to have someone like that to look up to.

“Right before I spar, I’m watching him spar. I get to see his skill, everything he’s putting forth, and I get to learn from that right before I step into the ring.”

Nikita, Tim and friends at the No Limit Boxing launch.

The brothers are strictly forbidden by trainer Igor Goloubev and grandfather Boris Tszyu to spar each other, in case “it gets too messy”, Tim revealed.

But the Tszyu takeover of Australian boxing is well underway and Tim said the sons of legend Kostya are both ready for history.

“People live their life in a mediocre way, doing the same thing over and over again – boxing is like that too – but we go through thrills and get opportunities that not many people will ever understand,” Tszyu said.

“To do it at a young age, to do in front of a nation, it’s unreal.

“I can’t wait for Nikita to experience the first time he walks out of the change room, for himself, how he’s going to feel, how he’ll deal with it, and that feeling that only 0.0001 per cent of people ever get to experience.”