Thoroughbred Rogan ready

9 February 2009 – By Cormac Campbell

Belfast heavyweight star Martin Rogan believes his army of travelling fans will roar him to victory in his February 28 battle with Commonwealth and European champion Matt Skelton.

The bout, which will take place in Birmingham will mark the culmination of 12 months of positive change in Rogans career which have seen him transformed from a man contemplating retirement in to a fighter on the cusp of major title glory. And Rogan is delighted that so many fans will travel with him to England for his biggest night.

I dare say we will take over the arena, he told irish-boxing.com. “There is a good Irish community in Birmingham and I will take a squad over from Belfast and I believe there is a big crowd going from Dublin so well all get together after I win it.

Beating the marauding Skelton will be no mean feat, but Rogan believes the fight will be won in the gym.

The sparring has started already. We have a guy coming over from England called Dan Hughes who can imitate the way Skelton fights.

The conditioning that saw Rogan power through three fights in one night to win the Prizefighter series last April is another factor Rogan believes is in his favour.

I tend to stay pretty light, he said.

My weight stays the same, I sit around 16 stone all the time. There would only ever be a change of about 4lbs they say you cant fatten a thoroughbred and I am a thoroughbred.