Steve Moxon – “I’m sure Dennis Hogan is tough… but I’m tougher”

 
AS a kickboxer Steve Moxon has readily seeked out the best fighters available and because of this attitude, he has travelled the world and fought some of the world’s elite.

 
This is no different when it comes to the sweet science, as Moxon now seeks a fight with the undefeated Australian middleweight champion Dennis Hogan, who like Moxon, finds difficulty when it comes to willing opponents.

 
This attitude as Moxon sees it, is part of the mentality and self belief he already has, which has brought him notoriety and respect across many of the varying codes of combat sport.

 
“I believe it has a lot to do with my attitude towards the fighting sports, I started kickboxing just eight years ago and have now accumulated forty-five professional fights with eight losses and have never been worried about protecting my record.” said Moxon in an exclusive interview with Aus-Boxing.

 
“As for my boxing career I have never had a formal boxing ‘coach’ – I just really enjoy the sport and try to study boxing techniques and footwork through watching fights on the computer and the fact that I’m not intimidated by the best going around.” Moxon explained.

 
In five fights, Moxon (5-0, 4 KOs) has arguably beaten two of the countries most promising prospect’s at some point – in both Rohan Murdock and Kurt Bahram. Moxon beat Murdock in a competitive contest by points decision. However, Moxon’s biggest statement was his first-round knockout of the once highly regarded Kurt Bahram. Murdock remains the only fighter to have gone the distance with Moxon.

 
“I have fought the world’s best in kickboxing and in boxing, I’ve had just five professional fights in four weight different weight divisions – starting at light heavyweight down to light middleweight.”

 
Moxon, 26, sees himself as a light middleweight that will fight as high as middleweight for the right purse and more importantly, the right fight – which is what he sees Dennis Hogan as.

 
“It was a memorable experience fighting and beating Rohan Murdock in his home town of Brisbane, he is a big and very tough guy,” he continued. “After that fight I fought Kurt Bahram at middleweight, who was also named as ‘the next big thing’ in Australian boxing – and I knocked him out two and half minutes into the first round.”

 
Moxon believes that a majority of the boxers on the domestic circuit as protected species, who in his opinion are looking to pad their records. This is by stark comparison to kickboxing, where records count for little.

 
“It seems to be the unspoken truth about professional boxing and it has a lot to do with trainers and managers looking after their prospect and making sure to protect their records,” said Moxon. “That’s why I see so many boxers with 19-0 or 20-1 records. I’m sure that makes them a good boxer, but definitely doesn’t make them the best boxer.”

 
“Thanks to the BoxRec website, we can see that in the nineteen wins on their record, most of the opponents have five or six red dots next to their name. I’m sure Dennis Hogan is tough and a good boxer, but I’m tougher.”

 
While he has dabbled in boxing circles inconsistently, Moxon appreciates that there is a science is involved. Even in spite of his formal training, Moxon believes through the online world – he is able to see more than enough to enhance his physical capabilities.

 
“I really like the science of boxing and I’m always looking for a boxing fight in-between my kickboxing fights, I only fight to put on a show for the crowd and to put food on the table for my family,” he continued. “I also have a two year six-fight deal with GLORY World Series, where I get to represent Australia all over the world fighting against the world’s best.”

 
While talk has increased in recent weeks of a fight between Hogan and Moxon, the Victorian-based resident doesn’t quite see the lucrative side of a fight with Hogan – but is interested nonetheless. There was talk of a $6,000 offer to Moxon’s camp when Hogan’s last opponent, Kurt Bahram withdrew injured – but Moxon denies such offers.

 
“I don’t believe it (a fight with Hogan) will open any doors, Hogan has the title and an undefeated record – has it opened any doors for him?,” said Moxon. “Firstly, I definitely wasn’t offered $6,000 for the fight, and secondly, I make double that amount for a kickboxing fight.”

 
“When offered the fight, The only reason I wanted it was because there is a title on the line and the only reason I had to turn it down after a few days of sleeping on it, was because I have a big kickboxing fight on June 7th and a wedding to pay for in October.” Moxon continued.

 
“I needed to be loyal to the promoter that I already signed a contract for, and the only reason that Hogan’s camp would take the fight is because let’s be honest – they knew I wasn’t training for it – and it was on short notice.”

 
Moxon has reiterated a desire to fight Hogan, provided he is given the right amount of time to prepare. With limited options available for an Australian title defence, it appears a collision between the two appears likely.

 
“Let’s see how they react after giving me five weeks to prepare. I’m willing to fight anyone at light middleweight or middleweight.”

 
“I definitely haven’t hit my peak yet, I’m now 26 years old, have only been in the sport for eight years and have recently moved towns and gym and I am learning each and every day.”

 
 
Photo: SteveMoxon.com