Rogan and Perez eye heavyweight glory

28 March 2011 – Jonny Stapleton

Belfast Heavyweight Martin Rogan returns to the tournament that launched his career in a bid to get back to the boxing big time.

The inaugural Prizefighter winner will be hoping to be crowned king of the International heavyweights by registering a second victory in the unique tournament, at Alexandra Palace on May 7.

The Iron Man used his win in the first ever Prizefighter in April 2008 as a platform to secure a Commonwealth title, but struggled with injury since loosing that strap to Sam Sexton.

Now having registered two wins since returning from his enforced sabbatical the big Belfast cabbie will be hoping to deliver Prizefighter success once again.

Cork-based Cuban, Mike The Rebel Perez adds more Irish flavour to the first international Prizefighter contest, that also includes American Kevin Kingpin Johnson, Richel the Dutch Sonny Liston Hersisia and Germanys Konstantin Airich.

This event has been bubbling up for over a year now and I am so excited we have finally made it happen, said Matchroom Sports managing director Eddie Hearn. As Prizefighter starts its international expansion, this flagship event couldn’t have come at a better time and boxing fans are in for a real treat on May 7.

As always the line-up will combine an eclectic mix of prospects, champions and characters as these eight men look to fight their way into contention for a shot at the world heavyweight title, added Hearn. In Martin Rogan we have a man that epitomises Prizefighter, our first ever champion and a guy looking to force his way back into the big-time.

Johnson will be the first American fighter signed for Prizefighter and has lost only once, in a points decision to Vitali Klitschko for the WBC title. Former WBF champ Richel Hersisia boasts a high knockout percentage while Perez is a highly rated Cuban prospect that is out to shock the world.