by James Slater – When they met in Belfast last month, heavyweights Martin Rogan and Sam Sexton gave us a fight that was as controversial as it was exciting. Round number-eight saw much drama, and the action instantly caused much debate. Looking “gone,” underdog Sexton lost his gum-shield and gained precious seconds to recover from being hurt as “The Entertainer” stopped punching when his Commonwealth title challenger indicated to him he’d lost his mouthpiece..
As we know, Rogan’s left eye was in bad shape at this point in the harder-than-expected fight, and seconds later in the 8th round, referee Dave Parris took Rogan to the doctor, who then stopped the fight due to the injury. This result angered many, and after the fight “Rogie” made it clear he was unhappy with the way the third man in the ring handled the fight. A rematch was called for by practically everyone, and now, as revealed by the BBC yesterday, Rogan-Sexton II looks to be on.
Rogan’s trainer, John Breen says contracts have been drawn up for the fight, the BBC said, and the venue for the first fight – The Odyssey Arena, Belfast – will very possibly host the return meeting. BBC understands that two dates are being looked at: September 11th, and September 19th, a Friday and a Saturday, respectively.
This is good news, and it is hoped no problems occur in preventing this needed rematch from going ahead. Sexton, much the younger man at age 25 to Rogan’s 38, boxed a fine fight in the early and mid rounds; jabbing well and hurting the unbeaten Rogan on occasion. But the fight’s controversial ending is what was/is most remembered and many fans felt sympathy for the all-action Rogan. Can Sexton, 12-1(5) go to Belfast once again and come back with another win?
It may have been a different story had Rogan’s eye not ballooned shut and had he not shown sportsmanship and backed off when Sexton lost his shield. Then again, maybe Sexton will prove to be an even better and more confident fighter in the return, so self assured did he look in the first 7-rounds of last month’s meeting.
A tough fight to predict, the return battle is sure to attract a big crowd when it happens and a fair amount of hype in the lead up to the fight taking place. Breen did say back in May that his man would have a long rest before fighting again, so busy had Rogan, 12-1(6) been in the previous five months. But with the return being looked at for September, which is only four months on from the original bout, “Rogie” will not be having too long a break at all.
Credit to both men for wanting to do it again.