Saturday night at Inselparkhalle in Wilhelmsburg, Hamburg, Germany, interim WBA World super welterweight champion Jack Culcay (21-1, 10 KOs), from Darmstadt, Hessen, Germany, by way of Ambato, Ecuador, successfully defended his title by pounding out a unanimous decision victory over #11 ranked Dennis Hogan (22-1-1, 7 KOs), the rugged competitor from Newstead, Queensland, Australia, by way of Kildare, Ireland.
Hogan always comes to fight and pressed the action, but “Golden Jack” outclassed the Irishman with speed and precise counterpunching, piling up points as the rounds progressed.
The final scores were 119-109, 117-112, and 116-112.
It was Culcay’s first defense of the WBA title he won seven months earlier by defeating Maurice Weber (21-1-1coming in) at the Festhalle in Frankfurt, who may have posed more problems for Culcay (he dropped “Golden Jack” in the third) than did Hogan.
“He boxed well,” said Hogan. “I kept trying all the way through. We knew he was versatile with his attack but he was able to use his lower height to great advantage by dipping down and then coming back with punches over the top. It’s very hard to train for someone who does that so well.
“I’m gutted. I thought it was a lot closer. He didn’t hurt me once but I could hear the crowd get excited when he threw. But fair play to him. I will come back 10 times better for this, trust me.”
With last night’s victory, all eyes are focused on a possible fight between Culcay and WBA World super welterweight champion Erislandy Lara.
“The boy is technically the best boxer we have in Germany,” said Culcay’s trainer Ulli Wegner. “I have no doubt Jack can become a world champion. I believe he is ready to face Lara now.”
He’s not the only one. Promoter Kalle Sauerland said, “The WBA Convention takes place this month in Panama. Here it will be decided when Jack has the chance to fight Lara for the world title.”
And then of course there’s Jack Culcay, who said after the bout, “It was a good fight. 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!”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8O3zU2Z3qY
This article was penned by the author who is not related to the WBA and the statements, expressions or opinions referenced herein are that of the author alone and not the WBA.
