Don’t Move Up – Dennis Hogan wants Jaime Munguia, not a vacant title

Dennis Hogan [28(7)-2(0)-1] doesn’t just want another shot at the WBO light middleweight title, he wants Jaime Munguia redemption.

The Brisbane-based Irish fighter was denied a life changing world title win by a massively controversial decision in Mexico last weekend.

‘The Hurricane’ has been lauded for taming the monster Mexican Munguia [33(26)-0] and has received massive sympathy for not getting the reward for a world title winning performance.

The 34-year-old, his team, the wider public and, a host of major fight figures, have called for the WBO to order an immediate rematch.

Indeed, it seems Hogan was offered one immediately after the bout by the Mexican’s minders.

However, chatter that the six-foot 154lbs fighter, who walks around at 190lbs, may use weight as an excuse for what most believe should have been a defeat and will move up, leaving the title vacant.

In that regard, most will argue that the former Irish Intermediate and Australian pro champ should be first in line to fight for the vacant strap – but that idea doesn’t sit well with Team Hogan.

The fighter himself has always said he wanted to win the title by beating the reigning champ and that is still the case.

Responding to suggestions Hogan could get a shot at a vacant title – and that even a clash with Spike O’Sullivan could be an option – promoter Paul Keegan told Irish-Boxing.com that “Dennis wants to right this wrong.”  

“Remember there is a human aspect to boxing. 

“If Jaime is the warrior I think he is, he will stay and fight the rematch not vacate. The Mexican people want him to fight Dennis Hogan.” 

“Dennis walked into 20,000 Mexicans booing him and left to a standing ovation.  Look at social media, it’s the Mexican boxing fans telling their fighter he lost.”  

“I hope Jaimie is a man of his word stays at the weight and gives Dennis the rematch he deserves.”

While Hogan did not manage to leave Mexico with the title, he earned worldwide respect.

The Glenn Rushton-trained fighter made ‘the next big thing’ look very much ordinary and outboxed, and even outfought, a feared puncher.

The reaction in Ireland suggests the performance was one of, if not the best ever, by an Irish puncher on the road and while Keegan doesn’t feel comfortable going that far, he is proud of his charge’s performance.

“Was it the best performance of an Irish boxer? Obviously I am biased so it’s not for me to say but I can’t remember a performance like it in recent memory,” he added before stating Hogan had proved all doubters wrong. 

“People laughed at us and mocked us when I said Dennis would outbox him, that wasn’t lip service. The Dennis Hogan the world saw on Saturday is the Dennis Hogan we see everyday day.”

The lilywhite talked about an eight step game plan in the build up and the tactics he put in place throughout the fight were another thing to receive praise.

Keegan explains the plan was devised by Rushton and hailed him as one of the world’s top coaches.

“Glenn is one of the top five trainers in the world in my opinion. He is obsessed with the 1% that others maybe don’t look for.”  

“He is a workaholic when one of his fighters has a fight coming up watching hours and hours of vision.”

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