By Jonny Stapleton

IT MIGHT pain him to admit, but Martin Rogan believes David Haye and Derek Chisora’s controversial, much maligned, yet eagerly anticipated meeting in Upton Park tonight is just kiss of life a dying heavyweight division needs.

The former Commonwealth belt owner has continually expressed his distain for the way the British pair behaved in Munich earlier in the year and feels it wrong both were rewarded for their street fight antics with massive pay days.

‘Big Roggie’ is an expert fight salesman himself, and has produced a number of tricks to promote his fights over the years, but thinks Chisora and Haye went too far.

However, despite voicing his distain the Belfast heavyweight admits there is massive public interest in the Frank Warren Promoted bout.

The former cabbie says tonight’s clash  has delivered big man boxing back to big time.

“This fight is waking up the heavyweight division. There is interest in it all over. There is big interest in Ireland it is a massive fight here. Lets hope it is a good fight and they make amends for their actions in Germany,” Rogan explained.

“I think the dislike is genuine. There is bad blood, but I don’t agree with how they behaved. So if I want a big pay day now do I start a fight with someone in public. We can all go around and get rich on the back of misbehaving like that, but that’s not boxing. As I said I hope they shake hands after the bout and make amends for what they did.”

The chiselled Hayemaker is favoured by most to box his way to victory over true heavyweight Chisora. ‘The Iron Man’ is not usually one to follow the crowd, but this time he agrees the general public’s opinion and has tipped Haye to win.

“I think David Haye will do it. He has been in with big lads before and survived. He is the better boxer. I think Derek Chisora is a limited fighter he will come in straight lines and he is always open to upper cuts. He ships a lot of punches. He has shown he can take a punch, but I am going with Haye. If Haye sticks to what he does best he will win.”

'Big Rogie' backs Haye to win tonight