By James Slater – Last night, heavyweight contenders Tyson Fury and Martin Rogan jointly announced how they will meet in Belfast on April 14th. The match-up, previously discussed only to fall apart, will see 40-year-old “Rogie” attempt to ruin the much younger Fury’s unbeaten record.
23-year-old Fury, 17-0(12) disappointed many fans by opting to vacate both his British and Commonwealth titles rather than face mandatory challenger David Price. Fury said words to the effect that he has moved on from British and Commonwealth level and that he is aiming for a big world title fight next. Instead, however, he will meet the inactive former “Prizefighter” tough guy.
It could be argued that Fury Vs. Rogan here in 2012 will not be the good fight it would have been a year or so ago; before Rogan had suffered injury and inactivity. But something tells me that the Belfast warrior will whip himself into great shape and test Fury to the limit. These two do not like each other, and we could be about to see a bitterly-fought, genuine grudge-match. And Rogan, despite the fact that he’ll be giving away six inches in height, is a danger man, stopped only on injuries in two fights with Sam Sexton (an eye injury in fight-one, an arm and neck injury in the return).
Can Rogan get inside Fury’s long reach and go to work? Will Tyson’s fondness for getting into a rumble and dispensing with the defensive side of the game allow Rogan, 14-2(7) to test his chin? Based on the styles of the two men, I think an action fight is guaranteed for as long as the fight lasts. Dereck Chisora aside, Rogan could be argued as Fury’s toughest test yet – at least on paper. Sure, the former Commonwealth champ is getting on in years and he has not fought since back in November of 2010, but 16 pro fights is not that many and physically (as long as he is carrying no injuries) Rogan is pretty fresh.
And Rogan wants this fight, he really does. If Fury does see himself as a world-beater already and if he has his sights and his thoughts on a shot at a world title, he may not have sufficient motivation for this fight. If he’s not 100-percent up for it and if he’s not ready for a serious battle, Fury could be in trouble. My pick has to be the younger, taller, heavier man, but Rogan has upset the odds a number of times in the past.
I think this one just might go as far as the later rounds.