Skelton Promising Rogan Redemption

MG Sports Management Press release
BEDFORD Bear Matt Skelton went face-to-face with Martin Rogan in his native Belfast today, promising to reap revenge for his 2009 Commonwealth title defeat.
Skelton, who has been out of the ring for more than a year, claims he was wrong to showdown with Rogan two years ago due to personal reasons – but claims this time around the Irishman will meet his match.

The former WBU, Commonwealth, British and European champion will clash with Prizefighter winner Rogan on November 12 at the King’s Hall in Belfast. It promises to be mammoth showdown between the two big hitters as both are seeking bigger prizes in the heavyweight division.
Skelton said: “I know I took the fight with Martin Rogan at the wrong time – there was a lot going on in my personal life, but there’s no point crying over spilt milk. I thought it was a good fight. It’s an opportunity for revenge. I still want to be active and I still want to fight.

“There’s nothing on the table really, you can’t be picky. I have to get back there and it’s a reputable opponent.”
Skelton, who boasts a record of 25 wins and six defeats from 31 professional contests, has not fought since he was beaten by Michael Sprott in the Prizefighter tournament last year.

He is not concerned about fighting popular Belfast cabbie and actor Rogan in his own backyard and at the famous King’s Hall.

Skelton added: “If you look back when I won my European title, I was out of the ring
for just one week short of a year.

“Although I’ve been out of the ring,I’ve kept myself in the gym, active and sparring and now it’s a case of stepping it up. I’m a similar weight to what I will be fighting at this moment in time. Age is not a worry for me. I still want to fight. That’s why I
accepted this fight.
“It’s just a fight for me to get back on the scene. If you get this fight out of the way and get the right fights, you don’t know what’s out there.

“He will be the favourite, which on paper he should be. I’ve been all over the world fighting. I’ve got no qualms about it. I’ve got to go there and get the job done and it’s no issue to me.”

Rogan, who last fought in November 2010, when he beat Germany’s Werner Kreiskott on points in a six-rounder in Castlebar,

Co Mayo, said: “I hope to put on a show and win in Belfast.

“But I am going to have to work very hard because Skelton will try to grind me down. I am sure everyone remembers the last time we met. It went down as one of the best British heavyweight fights of the decade.

“This is a great opportunity for both ofus, make no mistake about it. When this fight is over, one of us will be progressing for recognition for bigger prizes, so there is a lot at stake and that should make it a spectacular night of boxing.”

It should be a spectacular night indeed because the Brawl In The Hall comes with an attractive undercard that includes the recently married, former British featherweight champion Martin Lindsay, who will mark his return to the ring for the first time since surrendering his title to England’s John Simpson last year.

Also on the card is super-featherweight Kevin ‘Sweet Pea’ O’Hara, who is seeking to get his career back on track after last year’s British title defeat to Gary Sykes; the popular welterweight Stephen Haughian, super-bantamweight Stevie Quinn and lightweight Mark Oliver McCullough, who will mark his third professional fight.

• BRAWL IN THE HALL
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