DENNIS ‘HURRICANE’ HOGAN has had to weather various taunts and call-outs from other boxers since claiming the Australian title last year. The 29-year-old middleweight insists, however, that such provocation comes with the territory and he is refusing to become embroiled in a war of words ahead of his 12-round championship fight for the WBA Oceania light middleweight title on Sunday.
His opponent, ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Moxen, has been particularly vocal in expressing belief that he has the measure of Hogan and, having cast doubt on the Irishman’s credentials, he has now been presented with the opportunity to verify his claims that he is tougher than the Australian champion.
Hogan, who is now IBF rank # 14 in the world, explains about the verbal sparring he has had to contend with in advance of his upcoming fight with Moxen.
“A lot of people like to say things and have a pop at you when you win a title but you have to take that as a given. Steve Moxen has been saying things about me in the media here in Australia but I’ve no interest in getting involved in that sort of stuff, I just want to concentrate on doing my own thing.
“Moxen has a rep for being a bit of a banger and I’ve no doubt he’s going to come at me but I am feeling in great shape at the moment. I will 100% be ready for him and I’ll let my fists do the talking then.”
A glance at each boxer’s respective record might lead one to conclude that Hogan (18-0-1) should have the experience and nous as a pro to easily overcome Moxen (5-0).
However, Moxen is a world champion kickboxer who has won four of his five boxing bouts by KO, including a first-round stoppage over Kurt Bahram, who is one of Australia’s top ranked middleweights. The 26-year-old from Melbourne is known to be an exciting fighter with a particularly powerful punch, and he certainly isn’t shy on confidence that he can emulate his kickboxing achievements in the purest form of the sport.
It promises to be an intriguing battle of boxer versus puncher, with Moxen having vowed to win by KO in front of his hometown crowd at the Victoria venue.
Pre-fight rhetoric will fade into irrelevance on Sunday night though, when victory of the WBA title will speak infinite volumes more about the credentials of either ‘Hurricane’ Hogan or ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Moxen.
And that’s the bottom line.
