Dennis Hogan firmly believes he was robbed by the judges in his valiant attempt to become world champion.
Kildare-born Hogan, who is currently based in Australia, fell to a majority decision defeat to WBO super-welterweight champion Jaime Munguia on Saturday night.
Scorecards of 115-113 and 116-112 in favour of Munguia, as well as one 114-114 draw, were registered after 12 rounds of action during which Hogan seemingly enjoyed the better of more exchanges than his opponent.
Hogan's defence remained resolute for the majority of the contest, which took place in Munguia's native Mexico, and the Irishman was furious when his hand wasn't raised after 12 rounds.
"I knew I won the fight. I knew it in my heart and soul," Hogan said in his post-fight interview. "It’s so disappointing to train as hard as I did and for this to happen.
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"We came here in good faith. It's no disrespect to anyone here – apart from the people who scored it and allowed this decision to go through.
"Everybody knows. This is bad for boxing. It’s bad for me."
The defeat was just the second of Hogan's career, while Munguia remains unbeaten as a professional after the controversial outcome.
https://twitter.com/SIChrisMannix/status/1117571094385516544
Hogan revealed that he has already been offered a rematch with Munguia and the 34-year-old Kildare man delivered an impassioned vow to return to right last weekend's wrong.
"They already offered one in the corner, straight away," he continued. "So they know, obviously. Everybody knows. Everybody who saw it knows.
"I'm not one to cry. I'll get back again and I'll win the title. I'll come back but I won't come back here. We'll do it on neutral ground.
"I'll win the title and I'll set my family up.
"They've just tried to take my family’s future away and I’ll fucking fight hard to get it back again."
