What Hogan said to Tszyu after savage beating

"The hype is real."

That was Dennis Hogan's humbling admission to Tim Tszyu after the Irishman copped a five-round TKO beatdown from the Aussie superstar in Newcastle.

While he fired plenty of verbal shots pre-fight, Hogan paid tribute to Tszyu as the pair embraced in the ring on Wednesday night, with the Australian 26-year-old having sent a message to the boxing world.

"It was very respectful," Tszyu said post-fight. "He just said: 'The hype is real'."

Tszyu's manager Glen Jennings added: "He said that to me, too, and it's a wonderful little statement.

"I won't use the language but Dennis said, 'Yeah, the hype is real'. He was very respectful."

Hogan inflicted a cut to Tszyu's left eye but otherwise, it was a one-sided fight in which the Aussie brutalised the Irishman, going especially hard on his body. Hogan's corner threw in the towel to save him needless damage.

Tszyu, the WBO's No.1 super-welterweight contender, joined a decorated list of fighters to have toppled Hogan. The Irishman's last defeat came against American star Jermall Charlo, fighting for the WBC world middleweight title.

Prior to that, he lost to Mexican fighter Jaime Munguia, in a bout for the WBO super-welterweight title. In 2016, he lost to German Jack Culcay while fighting for the WBA interim super-welterweight world title. He dropped to 28-4-1 (seven KOs) with his loss to Tszyu.

"I'm not satisfied," Tszyu said. "I want to be a global boxing star.

"That's my goal. It's always been my goal and I need those big guys. We're at that stage where I do believe I can compete with the big boys.

"Charlo got rid of Hogan in seven [rounds]. I do it in five. So my pace was a bit more quicker than Charlo's. I want an international fight. I want to be recognised globally."

Tszyu (18-0, 14 KOs) is hoping to fight WBO super-welterweight world champion Brian Castano, though the Argentinian is chasing a unification bout against Jermell Charlo; Jermall Charlo's identical twin brother, who is the current IBF, WBA, WBC and The Ring super-welterweight champion.

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