Tszyu knocks out Hogan in fifth round, eyes world title fight

Tim Tszyu has continued his family’s storied run in Newcastle with a knockout victory against compatriot Dennis Hogan.

Tszyu’s undefeated streak now extends to 18 and he could be contesting for a world title in his next fight after stopping Hogan in the fifth. To put the feat into context, it took world champion Jermell Charlo seven rounds to stop Hogan.

Tim Tszyu celebrates with his trainer after defeating Dennis Hogan in Newcastle.Credit:Getty Images

“Two-time world challenger and to get him out of the ring quicker than Charlo, that’s not a bad achievement,” Tszyu said.

“This is not tip-tap, we’re not ballerinas dancing around … this is my kingdom. We have to come back and do it again.”

After knocking ‘The Hurricane’ down earlier in the fifth round, Tszyu continued the barrage and the challenger’s corner mercifully threw in the towel.

It was Tszyu’s first appearance in Newcastle, a city in which his famous father Kostya fought on seven occasions and never lost. The latest result solidified the family’s standing in ‘Tszyu-castle’ at a sold-out Entertainment Centre.

It was apparent from the outset that Tszyu had the greater punching power, but Hogan was a tricky opponent. The Irish-born veteran made his opponent miss in the early exchanges and even drew first blood, in the second round.

When the 36-year-old opened up a nasty cut above Tszyu’s left eye, there was debate over whether it was the result of a punch or a head butt. As the bell rang to signal the end of the round, Hogan headed towards the chair with his arm in the air. It was the last time he had something to celebrate.

The referee was of the opinion the blow was from Hogan’s head.

“I know what it was,” the referee warned the Hogan camp.

From that point on Tszyu dominated, unleashing a series of savage combinations in the fourth and fifth.

The Tszyu camp included a rematch clause in the contract. Hogan’s manager, Danny Dimas, interpreted this as a lack of confidence in their charge. It will not have to be enacted.

Tszyu was badly in need of a workout after touching up Jeff Horn. His previous fight, against Bowyn Morgan in December, lasted just two minutes before the Kiwi was assisted out of Bankwest Stadium. Even after finishing off his latest opponent early, Tszyu declared: “I was just warming up.”

Hogan was a significant class above Morgan. ‘The Hurricane’ contested for a world title on two occasions, losing one of the bouts in a controversial points loss. But with each new challenge, Tszyu has risen to meet it.

Tszyu’s promoters, No Limit, have expertly guided his career to this point. Now the real fun begins. They must navigate through the murky world of global boxing politics in a bid to make a title fight happen.

In their favour is the Tszyu surname, the lure of a relatively COVID-free Australian destination and the fact that their charge is now a proven performer of international standard.

The ‘Steel City Showdown’ had all the theatrics one would expect from an event of this magnitude. Latrell Mitchell was charged with knocking on Tszyu’s dressing-room door so the favourite could commence his procession into the ring.

There were plenty of other big-name sporting stars in attendance. League identities included Andrew and Matthew Johns, Mitchell, Cody Walker, James Roberts, Will Smith and Tyrone Roberts. Soccer stars Ali Abbas and Mark Milligan also witnessed the action, while Paul Gallen and Lucas Brown got a close-up look at each other before their own bout.

So what is next for Tszyu?

With the possible exception of the local and loud Michael Zerafa, Tszyu has now conquered Australia.

Coming into the Hogan clash, he was ranked No.1 in the IBO, two in the WBO, three in the IBF and seven in the WBA. His list of targets is likely to include WBO champion Brian Castano, WBC, IBF and WBA champion Charlo, former world champ Liam Smith or the likes of Magomed Kurbanov or Patrick Teixeira.

If none of them are amenable, Zerafa is a fallback option.

In the main lead-up fights, Sakio Bika won his third and deciding clash with Sam Soliman, Paul Fleming earned a TKO victory over Tyson Lantry and Wade Ryan won a thriller against Koen Mazoudier, via a TKO in the final round.

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