20.08.08 – by James Slater: It seems the fight between British heavyweight Audley “A-Force” Harrison and Northern Ireland’s Martin Rogan is somewhat jinxed. Originally, the two men were to meet on July 2nd, only for the bout to fall through due to “T.V scheduling issues.” Now, according to a news article in The Irish Independent, the re-scheduled date of September 6th has been called off also..
Set to box at The M.E.N Arena in Manchester, on the under-card of lightweight star Amir Khan’s debut on Sky Box Office, Harrison and Rogan has been postponed for a second time, on this occasion because of injury suffered by Rogan.
“It is very frustrating for all this to happen,” Rogan’s trainer, John Breen told The Independent. “Everything was going well for the new date until “Rogie’s” hands started to give him bother over a week ago. He complained of them being sore after a sparring session in the gym and when we went to the hospital we were told by the doctor he would have to lay off sparring for a few weeks. These things happen in boxing from time to time and you have to accept them. “Rogie” is having ice treatments every day and is on a course of anti-inflammatory tablets. Hopefully the condition heals quickly and he will be back in the gym by the end of this month.”
A reasonably intriguing fight, the ongoing saga with the Harrison-Rogan fight is likely to now test the patience of fight fans. It’s not clear yet whether or not Harrison, who at age 36 cannot afford to waste any time in attempting to get his once promising career back on track, will be able to opt for another opponent on the September card. Not having fought now since April – that fight itself being the big southpaw’s only action in well over a year – “A-Force” will be gaining all the ring-rust he managed to shed in his win over Jason Barnett in Las Vegas if he does not box again soon. Maybe the fight with Rogan is simply not destined to happen, who knows?
Unbeaten 37-year-old Rogan, who came to prominence by winning the “Prize-fighter” tournament that was the brainchild of promoter Barry Hearn, is in no position to be able to waste time himself. With regards to this now twice delayed bout, frustration abounds for all concerned. So far, there has been no public response by Harrison, but time will tell if he goes ahead and fights someone else instead.