By Jonny Stapleton

Veteran Irish heavyweight Martin Rogan claims retirement isn’t an option and has dismissed suggestions he hung up his gloves.

Many assumed the stoppage defeat inflicted on the Belfast fighter by Tyson Fury in the Odyssey Arena in April would be the ‘Iron Man’s’ last action in a professional ring.

However ‘Big Roggie’ is adamant the ‘Unfinished Business’ fight night will not be his last  and revealed he should have news of his ring return in under a week.

“I am still going to fight on. I am back in training already. I am certainly not retired. I am hoping to have news of my next fight next week and I still think I can operate at a decent level. If you look at the Fury fight I got caught with a good shot. I was winning the fight
up and until that point. In heavyweight boxing it only takes a punch and I got caught, but that doesn’t make me a bad fighter over night,”
Rogan told Mirror Sport yesterday.

Considering the ever entertaining heavyweight is 41 and has suffered a neck injury in the past there are those who feel he should call it a day, but Rogan can’t let what he calls the ‘Fury fiasco’ be his last act in boxing.

The former Commonwealth champion accepts he was beaten by the better man in the Irish title fight, but is upset with what he claims was ‘disgraceful’ behaviour surrounding the build up to the bout.

Rogan is still upset that the format of the Irish title fight was changed to suit team Fury and Channel 5, claims he suffered ’torment and abuse’ leading up to the bout and is unhappy there was crowd trouble at the televised event.

“I am very annoyed. Why shouldn’t I be. The torment and abuse I got from Mick Hennessy and others running up to the bout was terrible. How can a promoter and the British Board work together to change the rules of an Irish title fight? It makes no sense. The simple fact is the whole thing was a disgrace. I had no water in my dressing room before the fight, no gloves till after nine, the list goes on. My brother was beaten up in the crowd by Fury fans and a friend of mine has his eye sockets fractured. I can’t let that be my last action in boxing. My fans deserve better.”