Tim Tszyu finished Dennis Hogan in the fifth round, set up by a calculated tactic of relentless pressure that gave his opponent no oxygen.
A clinch. Tszyu took two steps forward quickly. Every single time.
Hogan was backpedaling.
Hogan landed a punch. Tszyu gristled, took two steps forward. Every time.
Hogan landed some sneaky punches in the first two rounds, however Tszyu’s power advantage was obvious.
Tszyu’s merciless pursuit resulted in a thudding left rip to the body that saw Hogan wince. By the end of the round he was doubled over in pain, but made it to the bell.
The same happened in round four, when at the end of the round Tszyu belted Hogan’s stomach and the older man let out a huff and dropped his hands, only to be grateful for the bell sounding.
Early in the fifth, Tszyu dropped Hogan with a sizzling left uppercut.
Hogan beat the count, but a pounding in his own corner saw the Irishman’s corner throw in the towel.
Given Hogan had gone seven rounds with undefeated middleweight king Jermall Charlo, this was a statement.
Tszyu (18-0, 14KO) is the WBO No.1 challenger.
While champion Brian Castano is negotiating with Charlo’s brother Jermell for a unification bout for all the super-welterweight belts, Tszyu will bide his time. But his time will come.
Time is not on the side of Hogan, 36, who falls to 28-4-1 (7KO).
A head clash in the second round opened up a cut over Tszyu’s left eye, but the 26-year-old’s focus was unblemished.
On the undercard, Wade Ryan (18-9, 6KO) scored a sensational 10th round stoppage of the game Koen Mazoudier (8-2, 4KO) to win the WBA Oceania and IBO International super-welterweight titles.
It was a see-sawing contest early, however Ryan’s power shots began dictating the latter stages of the battle.
In the final round, Ryan landed two huge uppercuts that rocked Mazoudier’s head backwards, then followed with a strong hook before the referee stepped in to save him from more punishment.
Paul Fleming danced around the canvas after stopping the tough Tyson Lantry in seven rounds.
Fleming (27-0-1, 18KO) won the WBA Oceania super-featherweight title with his quick hands, then entertained the crowd with his smooth feet as he celebrated to the DJ’s hip-hop tunes.
Fleming dominated the first two rounds, landing flush shots to Lantry’s body and head. A brief revival Lantry (8-4, 3KO) in the middle rounds was snuffed out by Fleming, who stepped up the pace in the sixth and thumped his opponent.
Just 10 seconds into the seventh, Lantry’s corner threw in the towel.
Sakio Bika won his trilogy against Sam Soliman via unanimous decision, then declared he wanted a fight against Oscar De La Hoya.
The contest was very nearly stopped in the eighth and final round with 47-year-old Soliman stumbling around the ring after sustaining heavy blows.
The two former world champions met at a catchweight of 75kg – they each held a win over the other – but Bika was clearly the stronger man here.
After his win, Bika (35-7-3, 22KO), called out American legend De La Hoya, who recently announced he is coming out of retirement to fight in July.
Soliman (46-15-1, 19KO) took a number of hard shots and was lucky to stay on his feet as Bika piled on the pressure in the final round to win 80-73, 79-73 and 78-74.
Bika and Soliman clashed heads in the fifth round, leaving both bleeding from the eyebrow, however Bika’s gash was far more severe.
But that did not deter the rugged 41-year-old, who powered home.
Mateo Tapia maintained his undefeated record by stopping Renold Quinlan in the fourth round, claiming the WBA Oceania super-middleweight title with the victory.
Tapia (13-0, 8KO) frustrated Quinlan with his slick movement and razor-sharp counters.
In the fourth the 22-year-old delivered a thunderous right hook that left Quinlan staring at the ceiling.
While Quinlan bravely rose to beat the count, Tapia followed up with an intense barrage on the ropes that saw the referee step in to end the contest.
It was Tapia’s second victory over Quinlan (12-8, 8KO), who has now lost his past six fights.
Darkon Dryden (4-0, 1KO) stopped Jason Medawar in the second round of their welterweight clash.
Jason Fawcett won his pro debut against Alex Carioti over four rounds; 40-35, 40-35 and 39-36.
Sydney’s Linn Sandstrom has issued a warning to her haters and rivals after notching her debut professional boxing victory in Newcastle.
Sandstrom defeated Felicity Loiterton via four-round decision, and revealed that she’d stepped away from training at her regular gym, Bondi Boxing in Waterloo, for this preparation.
Sandstrom opened the show on the Tim Tszyu vs Dennis Hogan fight at Newcastle Entertainment Centre, and has moved to 1-1 after losing her debut to Jessica Cashman in Townsville on the Tszyu vs Jeff Horn undercard.
“After the loss, people were saying ‘Why is she getting another opportunity, why is she getting to be on a card like this again?’” Sandstrom said.
“They can’t understand it. I was here to prove a point about why I’m here, and this is just the beginning.”
Sandstrom defeated her Canberra opponent on all three judges’ scorecards; 40-36, 39-37 and 39-37.
The 29-year-old Swedish fighter is expected to feature on coming No Limit Promotions events.
“I’m very pleased with that result, I’ve been going through a really tough time lately, especially after the loss,” Sandstrom said.
“So for me to get this win, not many people can imagine how hard I worked for this.
“I’ve had people that really, really want to see me fail. I’m a female that, I’m not just there to say I’m going to do things, I’m here to put in the work and that seems to irritate a lot of people.
“I’m just doing me.
“I’ve been in training camp outside of my own gym this time, just to be out of distractions. I’m doing me, this is my journey. I’m here to stay now, I’m here to prove a point.”
RE-CAP THE TIM TSZYU V DENNIS HOGAN FIGHT VIA OUR BLOG BELOW
Updates
FINISH HIM! Tim Tszyu drops Hogan for the first time with a shot to the head. The Irishman, bleeding from the mouth – is somehow firing back. BUT NOT ANYMORE! Dennis Hogan just saved their fighter from one of the most violent beatdowns in recent Australian boxing history.
Tim Tszyu said he'd take Dennis Hogan's soul in Newcastle – he did more than that, dragging the Irishman through hell.
He's still undefeated and he's still getting better. It's time he heads overseas. There's nothing left for him here.
I can't quite wrap my head around Tim Tszyu. Like, I get it (his extreme talent) but there's something that doesn't sit right for me. Anyway he's destined for a world title.
His body punching is so so good. Johnny Lewis, Kostya's legendary trainer, always said Kostya was the best body puncher he's ever seen yet didn't go there enough. Tszyu 2.0 has found a weapon that can take him to a world title.
Thanks for joining us this evening. We'll be here for the next one!
FENECH: "One more round to go … I think."
Jeff Fenech reckons Hogan won't make it out of round four and he might be right! Tszyu turning it on, Hogan breathing deeply.
"TSZYU-CASTLE" chants ring out. Tim's old man won seven times in the Steel City.
OH! Tszyu rocks Hogan with a 1,2,1,2 combination as Hogan desperately tries to clinch.
Hogan just hanging on as he eats three disgusting body shots. Incredible display from a cut-up Tszyu.
TSZYU 39-36
CUT CAUSED BY A HEAD CLASH … Tszyu's corner seems a little rattled. The cut is under his eyebrow and just above his eye lid.
BANG, BANG … Tszyu throwing power punches with every shot and he's starting to find a home.
Hogan happy to wing that right hand and clinch – trying to open that cut up a little when tied up.
Tszyu starting to turn it on here – such crisp, powerful punches but he'll need to do more than to get rid of Hogan.
OHHH! Violent body shots from Tszyu nearly end the fight. Hogan is in all sorts.
TSZYU 29-28
Hogan broke or hurt his nose during camp and it looks like he's been slammed in the face with a frying pan.
Anyway, TSZYU'S CUT! It's over just over his left eye. Believe it was caused by a Hogan overhand right – a punch he's been keen to throw early in this fight … and it lands again. Hogan is so crafty and scrappy. Would love to have him back me up in a Dublin bar fight.
Urgency in Tszyu's corner.
Hogan 19-19
NRL superstar Latrell is the first part of a very manufactured walkout from Tim Tszyu.
The South Sydney fullback, wearing a COVID mask, knocked on Tszyu's door to call him to the ring before 'Biggie' plays. But it's not finished. Tszyu stands behind a giant curtain with a picture of him paint on it. Next it's Another One Bites the Dust. Strange stuff but I guess he wants to crack the strangest place of all – the US.
Enough! Let's get it on!
Tszyu looks cool, calm and collected – and big. Hogan like an energiser bunny on too much Easter Show Whiz Fizz.
Tszyu pressing the action, waiting to counter Hogan. Tszyu is so hard to hit.
FENECH: "Tim will make him pay soon, he's setting traps."
Hogan goes down after whiffing an overhand right.
ROUND 1: Tszyu 10-9
Both men leaving it all there. Mazoudier lands a five-punch combo before stinging Wade Ryan to the body. He eats one for good measure! Wade Ryan rips Mazoudier's head back with a stunning uppercut … AND THE REF STOPS IT! Great stoppage. Fenech loves the stoppage, Mazoudier and his trainer not so much. Just 30 second left in the fight. Gunnedah's finest wins the WBA Oceania super welterweight and IBO international super welterweight titles.
What a smokey that one was. Started like the tortoise, finished like the hare. Incredible fight before the main event.
The Rose bros are putting on great events.
A scrap fest of the highest order! Get ready for the last!
Like a clone of every round – Mazoudier turns it on at the beginning of the round.
BANG! Wade Ryan rocks his opponent. He's pouring it one. HUGE LEFT HAND! Mazoudier fighting to survive here! The ref has stepped in. Has he stopped it? No … he warns Wade about butting and stops the action.
Now it's Mazoudier who hurts Wade top the body before the kid from Gunnedah lands another crushing left hand.
Great stink!
