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Much-improved Dennis Hogan able to play dangerous opponent “at his own game”


Dennis Hogan [26(7)-1(0)-1] was dominant to an almost surprising degree on Saturday afternoon.

The Kildare light middleweight outclassed Yuki Nonaka over ten rounds in their WBO title eliminator, outfighting and outboxing the Japanese champion in equal measure to keep ahold of his WBO Oriental rankings belt.

Hogan quickly took over in the fight at the Brisbane Convention Centre and cantered to a unanimous decision (100-90 x2, 99-91) win over his experienced southpaw opponent.

A win which will hopefully put him in line for a shot at a title which is likely to become vacant, Hogan looked better than ever under new trainer Glenn Rushton.

The headline fight on the inaugural DDP Sports card, Hogan underlined his credentials as one of Ireland’s top boxers with the one-sided win over a highly-ranked foe, and the Kilcullen man was happy with his showing.

Hogan described how “I felt completely in control of the fight and I actually enjoyed it out there.”

“He knew in the later rounds I was up every round so it was big shots he was trying to land so I felt that made it easier for me to land my combinations and get out of danger.”

Indeed, so in control was Hogan that he went off-script to a degree against the rangey Asian.

The 32 year old lilywhite outlined how “I had him at my distance very early on and just felt like every punch I threw landed. I was also able to nullify his left hand, which is his best, and I knew and could see he was crafty and liked to try to intimidate me but I was just on form and decided to play him at his own game and beat him too.”

“All up a good fight and great learning curve for me. Rangy, crafty, experienced southpaws are dangerous and can cause problems but we made a great game plan, done all the work, stuck to it and it made for a very enjoyable fight for me and the crowd!”

dpg

Joe O'Neill

Reporting on Irish boxing the past five years. Work has appeared on irish-boxing.com, Boxing News, the42.ie, and local and national media. Provide live ringside updates, occasional interviews, and special features on the future of Irish boxing. email: joneill6@tcd.ie

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