Pocket Hurricane – Wayne McCullough takes reins as Dennis Hogan’s coach
Irish fight legend Wayne McCullough has taken over coaching reins of Dennis Hogan [28(7)-3(1)-1].
‘The Pocket Rocket’ will attempt to blow ‘The Hurricane’ in the direction of world title success.
Irish-boxing.com can confirm the out of the blue move as the pair link up as coach and fighter moving forward.
Many believe Kildare native, Hogan should have already realized his world title dream after his performance against Jaime Munguia in Mexico, in April of last year.
Hogan put in the performance of his career and consensus had him out pointing the 23-year-old star of the future, but the Killcullen man didn’t get the nod in a now controversial WBO world middleweight world title fight.
The Australian based Irish fighter attempted to win a world title at middleweight next time out, but suffered defeat in another high profile world title fight in December.
The New York hosted reverse to Jermall Charlo came at middleweight and thus wasn’t too damaging career wise.
Hogan has since returned to 154lbs and has been assured of big fights stateside once boxing resumes.
The DDP Sports fighter remains confident of success at light middle and will launch a third world title on the resumption of normal service.
The trainer now tasked with providing him the game plans to achieve that success is American based Belfast fighter McCullough.
McCullough is already a legendary figure in Ireland with a massive American profile.
After winning Olympic silver in Barcelona in 1992, McCullough went on to become one the most entertaining pro’s of the 90s.
The all action fighter was noted for his punch output, heart and chin and took on, as well as pushed, some of the biggest small men of his era.
‘The Pocket Rocket’ became the first fighter from Ireland or Britian to win a world title on Japanese soil when he beat Yasuei Yakushiji in 1995.
He went on to fight Daniel Zaragoza, Naseem Hamed. Erik Morales, Scott Harrison and Oscar Larios in world title fights.
McCullough has often discussed coaching and has offered to train some top Irish names in Las Vegas.
He has coached American feather Julian Ramirez – who hasn’t boxed since 2016 – but Hogan is the first Irish fighter he will work it.
For the single minded Hogan it most likely means relocating to America for his fight camps.
The two time world title challenger was previously coached by Glenn Rushton and enjoyed a great deal of success under the Australian.
In terms of the Irish fight fan it’s an exciting move, as brings such a legendary figure directly back into the Irish game – and considering Hogan’s current position straight back into big time fights.
