Francis Hogan Makes First Defense Of NABF Middleweight Title March 28 At North Shore Music Theatre

Undefeated NABF Middleweight Champion Francis “Frank the Tank” Hogan (21-0, 17 KOs) will make the first defense of his title on Saturday, March 28 when he faces battle-tested Ghanaian veteran Patrick Allotey (45-10, 35 KOs) at the iconic North Shore Music Theatre in Beverly, MA.

The eight-round bout headlines CES Boxing’s ‘North Shore Knock Out,’ a stacked eight-bout card featuring two championship fights and several of the region’s top rising prospects.

Tickets for the event, priced between $60 and $110, are on sale now at CESFights.com and at the North Shore Music Theatre. Doors open at 6pm, with the first bell scheduled for 7pm EST.

The fight represents the next step in what is quickly becoming one of New England’s most promising middleweight runs, as Hogan has posted recent wins over Elvin Ayala (KO 2), Khiary Gray (W10), Esneiker Correa (KO 4) and Antonio Todd (W8).

Many observers considered the win over Todd at Encore Boston Harbor last November as the most complete performance of Hogan’s career. The rangy southpaw controlled the bout from the opening bell, dropping Todd in the seventh round in a disciplined performance that showcased both his ring IQ and his ability to break opponents down late.

“The strategy was to keep hitting the hole on him,” explained Hogan. “He was a flat-footed fighter who liked to come forward. Every time he attacked, I would pivot around him, hit the hole and land shots. Once I realized he didn’t have much power, I started breaking him down and by the last few rounds I was walking him down and looking to take him out.”

The win earned Hogan a world ranking with the WBC and further cemented the 25-year-old as a fighter to watch in the middleweight division.

On March 28, ‘Frank the Tank’ will face a different type of challenge in Allotey, a seasoned veteran from Ghana who brings experience, power and durability to the ring.

Hogan’s preparation for his first title defense has been business as usual. The heavy-handed middleweight continues to balance life in the gym with his day job as a certified welder in Walpole, all while sharpening his craft alongside some of the region’s top fighters.

“I sparred ten rounds with [jr. middleweight contender] Rashidi Ellis this morning,” said Hogan of his preparation. “I feel great. I’m ready for this fight.”

With 35 knockouts in 45 wins, Allotey is a powerful puncher who has faced a who’s who of middleweight contenders, including recent bouts against Chordale Booker and Tommy Hyde. The Ghanaian’s most recent appearance was a razor-thin majority decision loss to Hyde in September, a fight that many felt he should have won.

“He’s a tough, rugged opponent,” said Hogan. “He doesn’t really try to control the fight — he kind of fights your fight, so I feel like I can do what I want in there. I’m going to feel him out early, see how his power is, and then dominate him.”

While Allotey offers Hogan the chance to see how he deals with a power puncher, the matchup also offers Hogan a chance to measure himself against fighters who recently shared the ring with Allotey.

“I want to show everybody that even though he’s a seasoned veteran who’s been in there with world-class opponents, I’m also a world-class opponent and I can get him out of there.”

Despite his rapid ascent, Hogan maintains a grounded outlook on his career. At just 25 years old, he believes the key to reaching the sport’s elite level is patience and steadily improving his level of opposition.

“Right now we’re just fighting better fighters every time and seeing what my strengths are,” said Hogan. “I can box, but I can also get in there and bang.”

Hogan credits much of his growth to the tight-knit group surrounding him in the Boston boxing scene, including trainer Mark DeLuca and a stable of young fighters who push one another daily.

“We all feed off each other,” said Hogan of stablemates Jahyae Brown, Thomas O’Toole, and amateur heavyweight Gilbert “Big Tonka” Kabamba. “Everyone shows up and works hard. Mark motivates all of us and knows what each fighter needs individually.”

For now, the focus remains squarely on March 28 at the North Shore Music Theatre — a legendary venue that will host Hogan’s first defense of the NABF crown.

With a perfect record, a growing fanbase, and a seasoned veteran standing across the ring, Hogan sees the moment as another opportunity to prove he belongs among the rising stars in the middleweight division.

“I’m just taking it fight by fight,” said Hogan about the prospect of challenging for a world title. “If the phone call comes, it comes. Until then, I’m staying in the gym and getting better.”

For more information on North Shore Knock Out and all other CES events, visit cesfights.com.

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