Rogan itching for comeback

9 July 2010 – Jonny Stapleton

Irish heavyweight Martin Rogan has defeated his most dangerous opponent yet by overcoming career threatening injury.

He is now planning to beat up the ‘punks’ who operate in his division en-route to the becoming champion of the world.

‘The Entertainer’ is back in training after a lengthy lay off and a career saving operation and is now eager to ensure a happy ending to ‘the real life Rocky story’ and is already in discussion regarding a possible fight in September.

A comeback clash, however is just the first step in the 38-year-old’s new career plan. Rogan, who shot to prominence and up the rankings with victories over Olympic gold medallist Audley Harrison and then Commonwealth and European champion Matt Skelton, has Irish, Commonwealth and World titles on his radar.

The inaugural Prizefighter winner is already mandatory challenger for Coleman Barrett’s Irish strap and would love nothing more than to avenge his two controversial defeats to British Commonwealth Champion Sam Sexton.

But Rogan’s boxing dream’s are as big as his character and top of his wish list is a shot at David Haye. The Belfast pugilist claims he will prove a worthy world title challenger over the coming months and with some money behind him he is confident of securing a tilt at the biggest belt in boxing.

“I started back training over the last few weeks and I can’t wait to get back into the ring. I am ready to fight some of these punks calling themselves heavyweight boxers. All going to plan I will be back in the ring in September. We are looking at opponents already,” the big Belfast battler told the Mirror.

“I have proved myself at this level. I never backed down from a fight. I beat Harrison, who is now being linked with a world title shot, and put Skelton down when nobody managed that before. Collie Barrett has to put his Irish title on the line against me. I think that would be a great fight. He is fast and stylish fighter and with my aggressive come forward style that would be a very entertaining fight. Sam Sexton says fighting me has made him a man.

“I don’t think he would be man enough to face me again. He never beat me. The referee made a mistake the first fight and in the second I stopped myself as I was injured. Those are fights I would be open to, but the world title is still the main aim. I talked to David Haye and he told me if I keep winning I could be fighting him. I told him the only venue for that fight would be Croke Park. I am a Gael so it would be a honour for me to fight there and I would sell it out. If I got someone with a bit of cash behind me I could shoot my mouth off like the others and get these world title shots. The difference being I would be deserving of it,” Rogan added before admitting the seriousness of his injury.

“People didn’t believe me when I said it was bad. I have undergone a serious operation to get myself sorted. It was difficult for me to be out for so but beware Roggie is back now.”