Dennis Hogan talks Tyrone Brunson win, title eliminators and more

 
DENNIS Hogan moved closer to a likely world title eliminator, edging a lively Tyrone Brunson over ten rounds to keep his unbeaten record in tact last weekend.

 
Hogan, 30, who was fighting in the US for the second consecutive time was given a harder than expected challenge from Brunson, also 30, who had lost four of his last five fights going into the vacant WBA NABA USA light middleweight title challenge.

 
As he has done in previous fights against big-punching opponents such as Steve Moxon, the Brisbane-based Irishman displayed his unique ability to neutralise his opponents.

 
The undefeated Hogan frustrated Brunson early on as he tried to press the action, as the American more often than not chased his moving target.

 
The IBF #11 and WBA #12 world rated light middleweight exhibited tremendous footwork and evasiveness in the opening half of the fight, causing Brunson (now 22-5-1, 21 KOs) to often rush in, a tactic that worked in the favour of Hogan (now 21-0-1, 7 KOs).

 
After ten close rounds, Hogan was announced a unanimous points victor by tallies of 96-94, 98-92 and 97-93.

 
“That’s the name of the game, keep working hard and improving taking the steps that get you to the world titles,” said Hogan in an interview with Aus-Boxing. “It was a very calculated performance this time around,”

 
“Knowing his knockout ratio, I watched closely and completely out boxed my opponent and I gained great experience from it,”

96-94, 98-92, 97-93 unanimous decision for Dennis Hogan over Tyrone Brunson. Thought this was a closer fight, Brunson outboxed him. #boxing

— MB2 (@mikebaca2) April 18, 2015

 
The fight not only served as a regional title fight, but also as Hogan’s debut on US television with network giant CBS televising the fight live from the Grand Casino in Minnesota.

 
With CBS having a potential reach in excess of millions, Hogan is happy that he was able to showcase his talents to a large US audience.

 
“I heard the ratings were high on the night which is great for my exposure in the US,” Hogan added. “They’ve already expressed their interest in having me back on there on CBS in June 26th,”

 
“The big occasions brings out the best in me, so I’m looking forward to the next one already,”

 
Already holding two credible world ratings while being on the cusp of breaking inside the WBA’s top ten, Hogan understands that his team is steadily building him towards an eventual title eliminator of sorts by the end of the year.

 
If everything goes according to plan, Hogan sees himself fighting in an eliminator in his next US appearance, which is tentatively scheduled for June 26th.

 
“The world ratings are great and I will be going higher with the WBA in the next ratings when they come out in Nay,” Hogan continued. “Especially considering I have the WBA Oceania and North American titles as well,”

 
“After my eliminator fight after my fight in June would be fantastic, but for me it’s one fight at a time as always,”

 
“The US audience has been fantastic,” Hogan explained. “There are so many Irish Americans in the US who gotten behind me and in a way it has become a home away from home,”

 
When quizzed on his reaction to the closeness of the scorecards, as well as the perceived bias from the US commentators and media outlets on Twitter, Hogan believes there was an element of natural favouritism that fell towards his American opponent.

 
“I thought that the commentators for CBS on the night were very bias towards Brunson, as they called the fight, which was to be expected as I was fighting an American in America for one of their titles,”

 
“But the judges got the decision unanimously correct, which is what it is, and that’s the important part,”

 
“I knew I’d have to prove myself and I know I will have a lot more support next time around June 26th,”

 
 
Photo: Minnesota Boxing