Dennis Hogan’s world title opponent Sam Eggington doesn’t know how to have a boring fight
Dennis Hogan is hoping his fourth world title will end differently than the previous three – with the belt around his waist.
The 37-year-old Irishman, now at home in Australia, first has to contend with tough Englishman Sam Eggington (32-7), who is headlining promoter No Limit’s Super Saturday Boxing Festival in Newcastle
In Eggington, Hogan faces an opponent who is no stranger to aerial combat.
The 28-year-old from Birmingham had to work his way up to become the IBO super welterweight champion, amassing a multitude of national and regional belts along the way.
His epic victory over Frenchman Bilel Jkitou was named Fight of the Year 2021 by the British Boxing Board of Control and has to be seen to be believed.
In 2020, Eggington dropped a points decision against Ted Cheeseman in a fight that also won Fight of the Year.
So what makes Eggington fun fights?
“I don’t know. I’m not trying. I’m not going out there and squeezing a big tear,” says Eggington Sporting News.
“I always say you go back to what you know and I know how to fight.
“I know how to make it tough and I know how to bite the gumshield and I’m enjoying it.
“As simple as that.”
However, it takes two to tango.
Not that Eggington knows if Hogan would make a good dance partner or not.
“I’m not kidding, I’ve seen about 40 seconds of Hogan since camp started. I’ll leave that to the team,” he said.
“A lot of people can watch a boxer and get a lot out of it, I’m the complete opposite – I see a Mayweather/Tyson mix-up no matter who I’m boxing, so I just don’t watch them.
“I don’t try to change my style for an opponent. I know what I’m good at and I’m working on that.”
Hogan, who earned the right to tear an IBO strap by beating Wade Ryan in Brisbane in March, isn’t too keen on playing to Eggington’s strengths.
“These kinds of fights that he’s in – when have you ever seen me in those fights? I generally never get into those fights,” Hogan said Sporting News.
“If I can negate that, keep your distance, box him… the saying goes, ‘he who controls the distance controls the fight,’ and I think I can control the distance in this fight for the most part.”
Hogan came painfully close to his dream of a world championship when he lost a majority decision to Jaime Mungaia for the WBO super welterweight title in Mexico in 2019 – a fight many believe Hogan won.
Saturday’s fight with Eggington represents one last shot at that elusive belt, and Hogan says his motivation couldn’t be stronger.
“When I started I set myself a big goal and now I just want to achieve it, I’m so close,” he said.
“I’ve been this close a few times, now I have an opportunity to do it, check that box and then hopefully pass on some inspiration to other people who are probably looking to give up on their dreams.”
“If I can do that on Saturday night it’s a sign that you can take the biggest hits and stay focused and resilient and you’re going to make it anyway.”