Rogan wants to headline in Belfast after claiming EU gold

June 21 Jonny Stapleton

MARTIN Rogan claims he will be more brute-licious than bootylicious when he fights Kurbat Pulev for the Heavyweight EU title – before emulating Beyonce by filling the 10,000 seated Odyssey Arena in his first defence as champion.

Having initially suffered date issues The Iron Man finally agreed to fight the giant Bulgarian, facing his stiffest test since his return from serious neck injury in Germany on October 22.

And the former Commonwealth Champion is confident he will knock Pulev out to take step one of a journey that will eventually see him return to the top of the Heavyweight boxing charts.

Rogan has only taken in five minutes of the Sauerland Promotions fighter in action but has seen enough to predict he will take the 30 year old out.

“I am delighted to have finally agreed to the fight,” Rogan told Mirror Sport.

“It is a big chance for me to get back in the lime light. I want to take it one fight at a time, but this could open the door for an EBU title or an Interim World title fight for me. I don’t know much about this lad other than he is six foot four and that he will be getting knocked out on October 22. I am certain I will knock him out. I didn’t need to watch more than five minutes of his fight with Matt Skelton to see that.”

Once he claims the title ‘The Entertainer’ fittingly predicts he will be back in the limelight and will pack out the Belfast’s biggest venue just like international pop star Beyonce.

“I am sure I will come home a champion and I will be leading the heavyweight charge. Everyone knows there are only two people who can pack out the Odyssey on there own and that’s me and Beyonce. I will have that venue full again after I beat Pulev”

Despite the former Taxi driver’s confidence he can deliver EU gold, Pulev is a tough test and would be favoured going into the clash.

He is ten years Rogan’s junior, is unbeaten and has the benefit of home advantage of the German kind.

The Belfast fighter isn’t worried about travelling and despite entering his fourth decade denied it’s a case of last chance saloon come October 22.

“I did suspect some people might suggest this is my last chance, but I don’t look at it like that. I don’t think I will be beat but if was it isn’t the end of the road. For some reason in the UK and Ireland if you loose you get written off. I could loose and continue no problem,” Rogan stressed before claiming he has no qualms about fighting in the country renowned for home town decisions.

“I am not worried about travelling at all. I fight in the ring not in a country. Once I do my job I will win and I am going to knock him out regardless.”

One blemish on what has otherwise been a very prosperous 48 hours for ‘Big Roggie’ was the news that he most likely will not appear on the Paul McCaskey v Breidis Prescott September 10 Belfast bill.

The inaugural Prize-fighter winner is desperate to fight in his home city again, having packed out the Odyssey when he fought Sam Sexton, but can not come to terms with Matchroom.

“It is surprising because they know having me on the card would really help pack the place out. I would have loved to have fought a warm up fight on that bill and I know the people of Belfast would have loved to have seen me fight again. But we couldn’t agree terms.”