Newcastle Entertainment Centre, Newcastle, Australia. In the main bout of the evening, the world champion in the (not the most prestigious) IBO version in the light middleweight (up to 69.9 kg) British slugger Sam Eggington (32-8, 18 KOs) lost to local multiple challenger veteran Dennis Hogan (31-4-1 , 7 KOs).
The champion expectedly took the center of the ring. Hogan circled, constantly changed direction, jabbed, tried to be proactive, often clinched – he didn’t need a fight. In the 3rd round, the fighters clashed heads, and Eggington earned a cut.
Hogan marked the end of each round with a raised hand. Commentators think he looks good. But it is not so. The Australian is constantly backing away, rubbing the ropes of the ring with his back, holding the opponent’s hands. Eggington shot with a right straight, but then fell into primitive attempts to cut down with one blow, body shots disappeared. He needs serial work and a little more speed and density.
A little more active champion earned in the 8th round. The referee finally reprimanded the challenger for constantly grabbing the opponent’s hands. Hogan countered beautifully several times, hitting Eggington near his right eye. But he was clearly tired, began to give up. However, they were both tired.
Attempts to knock out an opponent in the championship rounds ended in nothing. It seems that on the fourth attempt, Hogan will still become the champion (albeit in an insignificant IBO version) – he previously lost to Jack Culkay (interim title), Jaime Mungia and Jermall Charlo.
The score of the judges: 114-114, 116-112 and 116-112 in favor of the local fighter.
Hogan MD 12.