Hogan Brimming With Confidence in Enemy Territory vs. Munguia

By Jake Donovan

Dennis Hogan made to sure catch Jaime Munguia’s most recent title defense, a thrilling 12-round win over previously unbeaten Taskeshi Inoue this past January in Houston, Texas.

The bout was of interest to the Australia-based Irishman since he was next in line for Munguia’s 154-pound title as they collide Saturday evening in Monterrey, Mexico. That said, he didn’t watch the fight necessarily to scout his future opponent; the groundwork was long ago put in for that part, as far back as when the unbeaten Mexican turned away the challenge of former titlist Liam Smith last summer.

“I'm always supremely confident in my ability,” Hogan (28-1-1, 7KOs) said during a media conference call in assessing his chances in his first career title fight, which streams live on DAZN USA. “The game plan we worked out after Smith has -- we've been working on that since then, and everything that we've seen since correlates with that plan that we've made.

“I've been ticking the boxes in training and making sure I can execute that plan, and that's why right now I'm supremely confident I'll be world champion April 13th.”

Hogan must see something that no other fighter or their respective team has been able to pinpoint, as his upcoming rival has emerged as a top 154-pound fighter in just a short time. The 22-year old Munguia (32-0, 26KOs) is already making the fourth defense of the title he claimed in an emphatic 4th round stoppage win over Sadam Ali last May.

His recent win over Inoue was Munguia’s toughest test to date, one he passed with room to spare even if not quite as clear as the wide scores suggested. Still, no fighter is perfect and his next challenger believes he’s unearthed just enough flaws in the defending titlist to shock the world this weekend.

“You know, every single fighter will do little things here and there that you can exploit,” insists Hogan, who earned his way to a mandatory title fight through a 12-round win over Jimmy Kilrain Kelly last April, since adding a win over Jamie Weetch last December. “I mean, even a fighter that doesn't make many mistakes, there's still a game plan you can work out to beat that fighter.

“So without saying too much about whatever holes Munguia may be making, we certainly have developed a game plan to be able to defeat his style, and whatever it is that anyone brings to the table.”

Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox