Middleweight Francis Hogan believes he’s on the verge of a breakthrough.

Following his recent first-round knockout of Heber Rondon (20-6) at Foxwoods Resort in Mashantucket, Connecticut, Hogan, known as “Frank The Tank”, is looking ahead. 

Hogan (17-0, 15 KOs), is a 23 year old from Weymouth, Massachusetts, and feels that his hard work in the gym and in the ring is about to pay off – despite him juggling a job to make ends meet.

“I'd like to say this is just the beginning, but I feel like I’m right on the cusp of something,” Hogan said.

Hogan’s relentless work ethic shines both in and out of the gym. He trains with a close-knit group under coaches Mark DeLuca and Matty Ryan, alongside stablemates like the featherweight Abraham Nova and the super middleweight Thomas O'Toole.

“We have a great team,” Hogan said. “Everything we do is as a team, from workouts to staying motivated. There are also guys coming in for training camps.”

Hogan’s rise in the sport reflects not just his professional record, but also his stellar amateur career. With 219 amateur fights and five national titles — including wins at both the Eastern and Western qualifiers — Hogan has proven his pedigree. He is the only fighter to knock out four opponents in a row in a single tournament at the Western qualifiers, a testament to the power that’s followed him into the pros.

Despite his success, Hogan’s life is a grind. Boxing doesn’t yet pay the bills, so he works a tough blue-collar job to support himself, balancing long days between shifts and training.

“When I’m not in the gym training for a fight, I’m out working,” Hogan said. “I work my ass off. I’m outside all day, either driving trucks or welding. I’m a certified welder. Some nights I’ll leave work and go straight back to the gym or hit a run. I don’t really get time off.”

Hogan’s workday is as hands-on as his fighting career. He operates trucks just under CDL weight limits and welds — a skill he learned in high school, inspired by Mike Rowe’s “Dirty Jobs”. Welding, once a second career, has taken a backseat for now, as boxing demands more of his time.

“I liked the idea of welding, so I learned it in high school and ended up getting into the local iron-workers union,” Hogan said. “But I had to step away because I can’t commit to a full-time job with all the training. I can always go back, but for now, I need more flexibility to keep my boxing career going.”

For now, he drives trucks.

Even with his hectic schedule, Hogan keeps things light. Known for sporting outlandish outfits at weigh-ins, including the infamous mankini, he finds humor in the grind.

“After all the hard training, the struggles with weight or money, you’ve got to have fun,” Hogan said. “That’s what it’s about at the end of the day.”