Tszyu-Hogan “very close” for early 2021

Hogan’s planned fight with Julian Williams this month reportedly fell through.

After a wildly successful 2020, rising Aussie Tim Tszyu is reportedly closing in on a fight with two-time world title challenger Dennis Hogan. Tszyu’s manager, Glenn Jennings, tells Sporting News that the matchup is “very close to being made official” and will take place by the end of March.

Hogan (28-3-1, 7 KO), an Irishman fighting out of Queensland, Australia, called Tszyu (17-0, 13 KO) out last month after the latter’s crushing victory over Bowyn Morgan. He was tabbed to welcome former unified champion Julian Williams back to the ring this month, but Sporting News claims that’s been canceled.

He’s technically winless since 2018, having been robbed of victory against Jaime Munguia and subsequently battered by Jermall Charlo in an ill-fated bid for middleweight gold.

Tszyu presently sits at #2 in the WBO super welterweight rankings, but will have to wait until after Patrick Teixeira’s February 13th defense against mandatory challenger Brian Castano for his own crack at the belt. Even if the New South Wales man would be heavily favored, Hogan’s a very solid opponent who would number among the stiffest test of Tszyu’s young career; there are far worse ways to stay busy.