Rogan Return WBU World title fight for the Iron man

JRL Promotions Press Release

He’s back. And, this time he’s taking on the World.

Martin Rogan, Irish heavyweight star, will challenge for the WBU heavyweight title at Belfast’s Odyssey Arena on Thursday, October
27.

The former Commonwealth champion and winner of the inaugural Prizefighter tournament, Rogan will challenge Panama’s Luis Andres Pineda
for the WBU belt once held by heavyweight legend George Foreman.

Belfast man Rogan, 40, has been selected by the WBU as the man they want to showcase the organisation’s revived belt and return to the forefront of world championship boxing.

Winning the title on home soil could launch Rogan into world title contention with the reigning team of brothers Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko. And, he wants nothing more than to bring one – or both – of the Ukrainian giants to Belfast.

On October 27, one of the most popular sportsmen in Irish history will attempt to become his country’s first heavyweight world champion. This is an historic occasion. This is an historic event. This is history in the making.

Iron Man Rogan said: “For once in the history of Irishboxing, Irish fight fans are going to realise the dream of watching one of their own fight for a heavyweight title on home soil. I will be a world heavyweight champion on October 27. You better believe it!”

Self-managed Rogan had been in negotiations with the WBU, keeping a lid on today’s historic news while he was criticised for not accepting an invitation to challenge Tyson Fury for his British and Commonwealth belts in Belfast this month.

Rogan added: “I have been slated and I have been accused of running scared. But, all along, I had a proposal for Tyson Fury’s camp. All I asked was that they call me directly because I had proposal. I have moved on.

“I am going to become the first-ever Irish world heavyweight champion born and bred on this wonderful island. I am going to create a piece of sporting history for people to say they watched it being made in the historic city of Belfast, the fight capital of the world.”

Rogan, an actor and Belfast’s best-known taxi driver, takes a career record of 14 wins (7KOs) and two defeats into his showdown with Pineda, who boasts a more experienced record of 33 professional contests with 22 wins (18KOs), 10 defeats and one draw.

A former cruiserweight, Pineda challenged for the WBC title in 2003 and in recent times has challenged for the NABA heavyweight title.

Pineda, 37, who hails from Darien in Panama, said: “I have never fought in Belfast or Ireland before and I am excited about the opportunity to contest for the title in one of the greatest fight cities in the world.

“This is a major opportunity for me to put myself in the reckoning for more big fights and it is an opportunity I will not miss. I am coming to Belfast to be the next world heavyweight champion.”

Previous WBU title holders have included George Foreman, Corrie Sanders, Hasim Rahman, Ricky Hatton, Shea Neary, Micky Ward, Enzo Maccarinelli and Johnny Nelson.

Martin Rogan added: “The WBU is a recognised title in world championship boxing and it will put me in the equation, big time. I have worked day and night to make this world title shot a reality. People will see me in my best shape and at my most determined for this fight.

“On the night of October 27 when I am Ireland’s first real heavyweight champion, I will be calling on Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko to remind them that they don’t own all the titles and they will have to come to Belfast to fight me if they want to back up their claim to be the undisputed heavyweight team.”

You better believe it!

Ends.

For further information contact: JRL Promotions’ media
and marketing manager Alex McGreevy at
alex.mcg@jrlpromotions.com
or Tel: 07966 276 993

Notes
to editors: Details on tickets will be announced on September 10. Fight
undercard and media accreditation information will be released in forthcoming
days.

For
additional information on tickets – Tel: 07854850659

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