MASHANTUCKET, CT – Khiary “King TooSharp” Gray (19-7, 14 KOs) promises to turn back the clock on Saturday, February 22, when he challenges Francis “Frank the Tank” Hogan (18-0, 16 KOs) in an all Massachusetts battle for the WBC US Silver Middleweight Championship.
The bout is the main event on CES Boxing’s “Winter Brawl 2025,” a stacked card taking place at The Premier Theater inside Foxwoods Resort Casino and streamed live on SwerveCombat TV.
‘Winter Brawl 2025’ tickets, priced beginning at $82, are going fast. Purchase yours now at CES Fights or TicketMaster. Doors open at 5pm, with the first bout scheduled for 6pm.
For Gray, the fight is more than just another matchup—it’s a return to a better time in his life.
“Training camp is going well,” said the 32-year-old at a recent press conference. “I feel like I’m back to when I first started my career.”
When Gray turned pro in 2014, he built an impressive record of 13-0 with 9 KOs. Khiary was the talk of the town until a loss to Ian Green in 2016 seemed to derail his career.
The fighter has since struggled both in and out of the ring, suffering setbacks and spending time in prison. Having endured these hardships, the Worcester native rededicated himself to boxing alongside his long-time trainer Kendrick Ball, Sr. at Camp Get Right.
“I stayed in shape while I was in jail just so that I can come out and win the green belt,” says Gray of his desire to win the prestigious WBC belt. “I’ve been in training since November, so while this training camp has been a slow burn, it was what I really needed. I feel like I’m back to when I first started my career.”
Whereas Waymouth’s Hogan enters the ring with the confidence of an undefeated record, Gray believes his battles—both inside and outside the ring—have forged him into a different caliber of fighter.
“He’s good, no disrespect to him,” admits Gray, who normally fights at 154 but moved to middleweight for the opportunity. “He’s a southpaw with a long reach. This is a dangerous fight, but I fought lefties and I’m undefeated against them. I’ve fought guys taller than me, and I fought at 160 before.”
When considering the keys to victory on fight night, ‘King TooSharp’ points to their difference in experience and overcoming adversity.
“I’ve been in there with the top guys,” says Gray, who has shared the ring with the likes of jr. middleweight contender Charles Conwell and current IBF world champion Bakhram Murtazaliev. I’ve been in with ‘A’ caliber fighters, so I know what it takes. When you look at his record, he should have gotten his last 3 opponents out of there sooner or he shouldn’t have taken those fights. He should have fought guys with more experience.”
Aside from their differences in the ring, this fight seems a bit more personal for Gray. The veteran has taken exception to Hogan’s metaphor that he’ll be like a tornado ripping through Gray’s trailer park on fight night.
“I feel like it was kind of disrespectful about where I’m from,” confesses Gray. “I’ve been in the slums. I’ve been locked up in prison. He hasn’t been through what I’ve been through.”
The comment has sparked the fire in Gray that once made him one of the most exciting and promising prospects in boxing.
“This Saturday, you can expect the old Khiary Gray from when I started my career at 13-0,” says Gray. “I’m outboxing him, knocking him out, and taking that title back to Worcester.”
Roberto Villa is the CEO, Founder, Executive Writer, Senior Editor of FightBook MMA. Has a passion for Combat Sports and also a podcast host for Sitting Ringside. He’s also a former MMA fighter and Kickboxer.
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