Hard-hitting southpaw Francis “Frank the Tank” Hogan to fight at Mohegan Sun this month.
It’s Tank Time
On any given morning, you’ll find Francis Hogan training at Everybody Fights in Fort Point for an upcoming bout at Mohegan Sun. The 21-year-old, Weymouth native (with Southie ties) has known since he was 11 years old that he wanted to be a fighter.
“When I was little I would play on baseball and basketball teams and I would hate that I had to rely on a whole team of players to win the game. I realized, when I started boxing that it was all me, what I put into it I got out of it. I ran with it from there, trained as hard as I could and fought as hard as I could, knowing it was all me. If I wanted to win then I had to make it happen,” says Hogan.
Fresh out of Weymouth High, Hogan’s first professional match was at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn against Brent Oren. Hogan was only 19 and won with a knock-out.
His winning streak continues with an impressive 11-0 record – 10 of which have been knock-outs.
Matt Ryan, Hogan’s training coach (and Southie native), has been working with Hogan for his last six pro fights. “Francis is a long southpaw with world-class punching power – which makes him a nightmare to fight,” said Ryan. According to Ryan, Hogan is a great student. “He’s early to the gym. He’s eager to improve, and he does all that is asked of him.”
On Saturday, August 20th at Mohegan Sun, Hogan will fight in the CES Boxing Summer Heat event in a match against Cleotis Pendarvis from Los Angeles. The goal is to keep his winning streak going.
“Heading into this fight, with this caliber of a guy, I’m very excited and confident. I have been working hard to fight guys like this. My strategy is to stick with my powerful jab and try and control the fight,” says Hogan.
“On paper, this will be Francis’ toughest fight of his pro career, but if he sticks to the game plan and continues to work hard then don’t blink, because you might just miss it,” Ryan says referencing Hogan’s proclivity for knockouts.
The 6’2, 160 lb. Hogan is relentless in the ring and his reputation for packing a heavy punch makes him a popular one to watch with a large fan base. During his last weight-in for his fight vs. Rodrigo Lopes Rodrigues at Twin River Casino, Hogan wore a thong with a snake head on the front of it, which was a real crowd-pleaser.
When asked what he plans on wearing for the Mohegan Sun bout weigh-in, he laughs and says, “I have something good up my sleeve. Everyone’s going to have to wait and see. I can’t give it away.”
If you would like to see Francis “Frank the Tank” Hogan fight on August 20th at Mohegan Sun, tickets are still available (but going fast) for $49 $69 $110 and $130 and can be purchased directly through Hogan. Just DM him via Instagram.
Six Degrees of Southie Separation
- Hogan’s father is Richie Hogan who was born and raised in South Boston. Richie gave his son the nickname “Frank the Tank”
- His grandparents – Frank and Mary Hogan – are lifelong Southie residents who can often be seen walking Castle Island.
- Hogan is a third year apprentice for Iron Workers Local 7 Union
- Trains six days a week a Everybody Fights in Fort Point
- Trains with Southie’s own Matt Ryan
- “My favorite spot in Southie is the beach at the L Street Bathhouse.”
Maureen Dahill is the editor of Caught in Southie and a lifelong resident of South Boston sometimes mistaken for a yuppie. Co-host of Caught Up, storyteller, lover of red wine and binge watching TV series. Mrs. Peter G. Follow her @MaureenCaught.
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