World traveler Dennis Hogan is keen to return to World level as quick as possible, but first wants to put into practice the improvements he has made over recent weeks and months this Friday.
Hogan returns after a WBA interim World title defeat to Jack Culcay suffered in Germany in December, against Angel Hernandez in Minnesota.
The optimistic ‘Hurricane’ called that elite level reverse a ‘blessing’ as it has promoted him to make changes he now realises where necessary.
The Kildare native, who made his name in Australia before fighting in America en route to his interim World title tilt in Germany,admits he should be beating Hernandez.
However, the fighter, who has been training with Manuel Sagayo the trainer of WBA regular lightweight champion Ismael Barroso Stateside for the past few months, is glad to have the chance to put in place some of the things he has been working on.
“It’s good to be back out so early. There’s no time to waste the quicker I’m back the more focused I can be on fixing few elements of my game from December. It’s gone well so far and now it’s time to put it all together on Friday night.
“Friday night as I mentioned previously will be about doing those little things better and then a few other things we’ve been working on which have been going great in the gym.
“I am not forgetting a good win will always open more doors and I want to get back up there as quick as possible. My new coach Moro and I have discussed game plan tactics and fight plan and I’m really excited to get stuck in against an opponent with those added extras in my arsenal. Also there are great guys here at the gym and surrounding areas and that has given me a variety sparring too.”
It would be untrue to say Hogan wasn’t disappointed with his defeat to Culcay in December, but true to point out the 31 year old has taken what positives he can from the clash.
The former Australian champ takes solace from the fact he was in the fight and that the reasons for defeat are things of the amendable kind.
Indeed, his decision to set up training camp in America has a lot to do with travel times, while all the travel pre his tilt was good for his frequent flyer miles he feels it had a negative effect on his performance.
“The Culcay fight didn’t go my way, all credit to Jack for a smart win. However a few factors contributed to watered down version of myself that night. The main one being all the travelling with postponement. That lead me to acknowledge I needed to change up some things and it’s forced me to evolve which I feel has been a blessing overall.
“Been based here in Miami, I feel it’s a great central point to be able to reach anywhere is USA and Europe without much change of time zones and a lot less time traveling in the air.”
