Jack Culcay retained his interim WBA World Light Middleweight title with a unanimous points decision against the previously unbeaten Dennis Hogan last night at the Inselparkhalle in Hamburg, Germany.
A solid performance from Culcay proved too much for Hogan, who despite his best efforts was outclassed by the German fighter who landed the cleaner and more decisive punches.
After twelve entertaining rounds, ‘Golden Jack’ was ahead 119-109, 117-112 and 116-112 on the judges’ scorecards earning the 30 year-old a first defence of his WBA interim strap and edging him closer to a shot at ‘regular’ Champion Erislandy Lara.
‘’It was a good fight,’’ said Culcay. ‘’Hogan was a tough opponent and pushed me over the distance. Looking back, there are a few things I could have done better, but overall, I was pleased with my performance. Now, I want to fight Lara for the World title!’’
Coach Ulli Wegner was impressed by his protégé. ‘’The boy is technically the best boxer we have in Germany,’’ said Wegner, who then expressed his belief that Culcay can join the World’s elite. ‘’I have no doubt Jack can become a World Champion. I believe he is ready to face Lara now.’’
Promoter Kalle Sauerland offered some clarity on the situation. ‘’The WBA Convention takes place this month in Panama,’’ he said. ‘’Here, it will be decided when Jack has the chance to fight Lara for the World title.’’
On an undercard stacked with heavyweight stars, Kubrat Pulev scored a first–round knockout win over American Maurice Harris, Dereck Chisora stopped Peter Erdos in the fifth-round of his promotional debut and Swedish prospect Adrian Granat claimed his tenth victory against British veteran Michael Sprott.
All results from Hamburg:
Jack Culcay W 12 Dennis Hogan
Dereck Chisora TKO 5 Peter Erdos
Kubrat Pulev KO 1 Maurice Harris
Adrian Granat KO 1 Michael Sprott
Enrico Kölling W 8 Serhiy Demchenko
Freddy Kiwitt KO 1 Andrei Dolhozhyieu
Gökalp Özekler KO 1 Adnan Hadzihajdic
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The stage is set for Saturday night’s World Championship boxing in Germany, where ‘Golden’ Jack Culcay (20-1, 10 KOs) will defend his interim WBA World Light Middleweight title against the unbeaten Irishman Dennis Hogan (22-0-1, 7 KOs).
Culcay claimed the interim WBA belt with a unanimous points decision over Maurice Weber in May, and is now looking for a first successful defence at Hamburg’s Inselparkhalle.
‘’It’s great to be back in Hamburg,’’ said the reigning champion at today’s final pre-fight press conference. ‘’This is where I started my pro career, and where I used to live and train before moving to Berlin earlier this year.
‘’I have a lot fans coming to support me at the Inselparkhalle and I plan on repaying their support with a great performance on Saturday night.’’
Culcay was full praise for his coach Ulli Wegner, who has been credited with reviving the 30 year-old’s promising career. ‘’Mr Wegner has brought order and strategy to my training,’’ he said. ‘’I feel well prepared and I can’t wait for the first bell to sound!’’
The challenger, fighting out of Queensland Australia, has amassed an impressive record in his twenty-three-fight career, claiming twenty-two victories and one draw. Now, Hogan aims to secure his first major title by beating the champion in his own backyard.
‘’I’m here to win,’’ declared Hogan. ‘’And I’ll be ready for whatever Culcay has to offer. My greatest strength is my adaptability and that coupled with my irrepressible will to win will prove too much for him.’’
Ahead of Saturday night’s action, promoter Kalle Sauerland is predicting an entertaining encounter between the talented light middleweights. ‘’This is going to be a tough test for Jack,’’ said Sauerland. ‘’It’s a real 50-50 fight, but whatever the outcome, it guarantees excitement!’’
Bulgarian heavyweight star Kubrat Pulev (21-1, 11 KOs) takes chief support at the Team Sauerland show in Hamburg. The 34 year-old former World title challenger returns following a victory over George Arias to face Maurice Harris (26-20-3, 11 KOs), with a clear mission in mind. ‘’In a year’s time I want to challenge for the World title again, and this time the belt will be mine!’’
Tickets for the interim WBA World Light Middleweight fight between Jack Culcay and Denis Hogan on Saturday night at the Inselparkhalle in Hamburg, Germany are available online via www.tickethall.de or www.eventim.de.
Hogan Predicting Upset When he Faces Germany’s Culcay on December 5 in Hamburg
Undefeated Irish Australian, Dennis “Hurricane” Hogan (22-0-1, 7 KOs) says he’s ready to make the most of his opportunity against defending interim WBA World Light Middleweight Champion “Golden Jack” Culcay.
Hogan, of Queensland via Kildare, Ireland, will face Germany’s Culcay on Saturday, December 5, at Inselparkhalle, in Hamburg. Culcay will be making the first defense of his title he won in May of this year.
“I’m very grateful for this opportunity, these don’t come along very often so I have to make sure and do the business,” said an enthusiastic Hogan.
Hogan will be looking to become Queensland’s third world champion, behind Robbie Peden and Michael Katsidis. In his four-year pro career, he has already held the WBA-NABA USA Super Welterweight, WBA Oceania Super Welterweight and Australian Middleweight Titles.
“My opponent is a very good boxer and will be a tough test no doubt,” said Hogan of champion Culcay, “but I feel I will have a different style to what he is used to and that will help me pull of a big upset on December 5.”
Hogan was born in Ireland, but has lived the past five years in Australia.
“Dennis is not only fighting to win his first world championship, but also to become a star in his homeland and in his adopted home of Australia,” said his co-promoter, Greg Cohen of Greg Cohen Promotions (along with Adam Wilcock of FightCard Promotions). “He is training harder than he ever has to make this dream come true.”
