Sam Sexton-Martin Rogan Rematch On For October

Martin RoganBy James Slater: The first time they met the action was as exciting as it was controversial. Unbeaten Martin Rogan of Northern Ireland – the 38-year-old being one of the most enjoyable-to-watch overachievers of the last few years – lost his Commonwealth heavyweight belt in a thriller with 25-year-old Sam Sexton.

As soon as the fight was stopped in the 8th-round (due to an enormous swelling that had closed “Rogie’s” left eye) the debate started. Should the fight have been stopped? Was Sexton (who had spat out his mouth-piece to buy time in the fateful 8th-round) an undeserving winner? Why didn’t Rogan go in for the kill when Sexton dropped his hands in the 8th? And so on and so forth. Now, however, as has been reported by the BBC, the rematch is on for October 9th; once again at The Odyssey Arena in Belfast. Hopefully this time the argument as to who is the superior fighter will be settled in a manner we are all happy with.

Understandably, both men are raring to go in October, and both warriors are sure they will win.

Rogan, 12-1(6), believes (as do many other people) that he was unfairly beaten last time out, and that only referee Dave Parris’ officiating cost him the fight. This time, the 38-year-old part time cab driver says there will be no way Sexton will leave the arena declared a winner.

“Everyone knows I won the fight and the referee saved him – I can’t wait for justice to be done,” Rogan said. “I just have to beat Sexton this time. I made mistakes last time and Sexton won’t get that opportunity again, I am going to absolutely destroy the man.

“I beat him with one eye, this time I will have two perfect eyes and I’m going to be coming at him like no-one has ever done in his life. There is nowhere for him to hide in that ring.”

It really does sound as though Rogan, usually a nice guy, has taken his first defeat badly. More so due to the manner in which he was beaten (no-one could really accuse Rogan of being a bad sport and a sore loser) the man who sensationally stopped big man Matt Skelton in yet another thriller is aching to get his own back on his young rival.

Of course, Sexton, 12-1(5) has other ideas. Also speaking to BBC, Sexton said that this time he would knock Rogan out.

“I out-boxed him in every round apart from the eighth,” Sexton said. “He is just a brawler with no boxing skill and the only thing he’s got is his strength, but that wasn’t much to worry about. Remember, I took the fight in Belfast and went into the lion’s den and beat him and now I’m going back there and will do the same again, only easier.

“This time there will be no stoppage and he’s going to get knocked out.”

Sure to be another hit with the TV fans and the ticket buyers, Sexton-Rogan II should also be a good, old-fashioned value for money scrap. Who wins? This time I think Rogan will get it right and pound out a points victory.