‘Give it everything you’ve got’: Boxer reveals the hidden meaning of his tattoo – and why it will give him the power to win his bout against Tim Tszyu
- Irish boxing star Dennis Hogan has tattoo in tribute to his late grandfather
- The 36-year-old Hogan will fight Australian favourite Tim Tszyu on Wednesday
- He gave up drinking decade ago when grandfather asked him to on deathbed
Dennis Hogan says a hidden tattoo is the inspiration behind the resurrection of his boxing career as he heads into his massive showdown with Australia’s undefeated favourite Tim Tszyu
Dennis Hogan says a hidden tattoo is the inspiration behind the resurrection of his boxing career as he heads into his massive showdown with Australia’s undefeated favourite Tim Tszyu.
The pair will fight in a sell-out event at Newcastle’s Entertainment Centre on Wednesday night in front of an extremely pro-Tszyu crowd.
The 36-year-old Ireland-born fighter now lives in Australia and is approaching 10 years without drinking alcohol, a decision that came from a tragic family loss that provided the catalyst for his boxing career.
He lost his grandfather, Paddy Burke, a decade ago after losing a battle with emphesema, a moment which Hogan says changed his life.
‘His last words were give up that drink son, and give it everything you’ve got. Then he passed the phone to my mum,’ Hogan told the Daily Telegraph.
The has since gotten his grandfather’s last words and face tattooed on his chest.
Tim Tszyu takes his undefeated professional record into the fight against Hogan at Newcastle’s Entertainment Centre
The 36-year-old Ireland-born fighter has been living in Australia for the past 10 years
Hogan, despite being a massive underdog, has the pedigree and experience to hand Tim Tszyu what would be his first professional loss.
Despite losses in his last two fights, they were both WBO championship bouts against Jaime Munguia and Jermall Charlo in 2019.
He’s risen to the level where he can challenge for title fights, but a third-consecutive loss could see the 36-year-old’s career rapidly approach its conclusion.
Hogan moved to Australia from Ireland in 2010, where he admittedly began partying too much and loss sight of his boxing career.
‘It was 10 years ago now that I made a decision I had to make some changes if I wanted to win a world title,’ Hogan told the Tele.
‘I had been in Australia about eight months and I was playing up quite a bit on the drink.
Hogan got his grandfather’s last words to him ‘Give it everything you’ve got’ tattooed on his chest
Hogan says he will harness his ‘Irish spirit’ inherited from his grandfather and use it to hand Tszyu his first loss
He says a sobering phone call from his grandfather at home put everything in perspective and when he passed away, he knew it was time to make a change.
‘When he did pass away, I said right, it’s time to give it everything I’ve got. I have a portrait of him and his words tattooed on my heart.
‘He had that fighting Irish spirit that lives on in me.’
Hogan says he will harness his ‘Irish spirit’ inherited from his grandfather and use it to hand Tszyu his first loss.
Tszyu, who is 10 years his junior, is a strong favourite with the bookies but Hogan believe that is misguided.
“I’m a pro of 10 years, he is a pro of three. I’ve fought for world titles. Tim hasn’t,’ he said.
‘He will be surprised by my hunger and experience.’
Tszyu, who is 10 years his junior, is a strong favourite with the bookies but Hogan believe that is misguided
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