Francis "Frank the Tank" Hogan Defends WBC US Silver Middleweight Title in Foxwoods on February 22

Rising middleweight star Francis "Frank the Tank" Hogan (18-0, 16 KOs) will defend his WBC US Silver Middleweight title against Massachusetts rival Khiary "King TooSharp" Gray (19-7, 14 KOs) in the headline bout of Winter Brawl 2025 at Foxwoods Resort Casino on Saturday, February 22. The event will take place at The Premier Theater and is packed with 14 action-packed bouts. Tickets are available starting at $82 and are selling quickly. Doors open at 5 pm, with the first fight set for 6 pm.

Hogan’s Determination

The 24-year-old Hogan, a Boston-born, Weymouth-raised boxer, is ready for a breakthrough performance. Training at Everybody Fights gym in Boston's Seaport District, Hogan shared his rigorous preparation: "Training is going good. I’m training 2-3 times a day, eating right, sleeping enough. That night, he’s going to be the old trailer park and I’m going to be the tornado. I’m going to rip him up."

Hogan's path to boxing greatness was no easy ride. Starting his boxing career at age 10, he faced an uphill battle, initially losing 40 straight matches in the amateurs. Yet, his tenacity paid off as he eventually turned the tide, winning national tournaments and gaining recognition for his impressive knockout ability.

Overcoming the Odds

Hogan credits his family’s unwavering support and willingness to travel to expose him to top-tier competition as a major factor in his rise. “We always wanted to fight the better, tougher, heavier, stronger guys,” said Hogan. Training at places like Big Six in Rhode Island helped elevate his skills, taking him from a struggling amateur to a force to be reckoned with.

His journey eventually led him to link up with his childhood idol, former 2-time NABA Super Welterweight champion Mark "The Bazooka" DeLuca, who became his trainer. "He became like an older brother to me,” said Hogan, who has been steadily climbing the professional ranks with DeLuca’s guidance.

The Road to WBC Title

Hogan’s rapid rise continued in 2023, where he captured the WBC US Silver Middleweight title and fought three times, defeating seasoned opponents. His most recent victory came with a dominant second-round knockout of Elvin Ayala, showcasing his power with a brutal body shot. Hogan was, however, left wanting more, expressing his desire for a longer performance to fully demonstrate his skills.

Focused on Gray

Now, Hogan returns to Foxwoods, where he’ll headline the Premier Theater against the experienced Khiary Gray. Gray, known for facing top fighters like IBF Jr. Middleweight champion Bakhram Murtazaliev and contenders Charles Conwell and Gary O’Sullivan, is expected to bring a strong challenge, but Hogan is confident. "Everybody's saying that he's coming in shape and he's ready, but that's what I want,” said Hogan. "I’m coming to win. I’m coming to take over, so that’s the goal."

A Statement Performance

Hogan sees this fight as a chance to make a statement to the boxing world: "This is the fight where I'm going to show everybody that the power is real. I’m fast, I’ve got boxing skills, and I’m coming for war like Marvin Hagler used to say." A decisive win on February 22 could propel him closer to the high-profile bouts he's aiming for.

Looking Ahead

At 18-0 and only 24 years old, Hogan believes he represents the next generation of boxing and feels the time is right for a title shot in the near future: "I think there’s going to be a lot of guys that are going to either have to fight guys like me who are hungry, or they will have to retire or vacate their belts."