Iron Man pulls out of chase for EU gold

JULY 5 Jonny Stapleton

Martin Rogan has pulled out of his EU title fight with Kurbrat Pulev.

The Iron Man cited a lack of preparation time as the catalyst behind his withdrawal.

The 40 year old veteran is the number 1 contender and was initially down to face Robert Helenius before ‘The Nightmare’ vacated to follow his world title dream.

The former Commonwealth Champion and inaugural Prize Fighter winner was then confirmed by the European Boxing Union as the man to fight Pulev for the strap in the Olympia-Eissportzentrum in Munich on July 16 after Sauderland Event’s won the purse bids.

 However, Rogan claims he believed the fight was to be held later in the month and change of date didn’t give him enough time to prepare. As a result ‘The Entertainer’, who has registered two wins since his return from serious neck injury, has decided against the bout.

“The EU title fight is off. The changed the date and moved if forward. It didn’t allow me anytime to prepare,” Rogan explained.

However the EBU confirmed they have informer Sauderland Event’s that a new date must be scheduled and the Belfast fighter is still number 1 contender.