Last night Prizefighter winner and Belfast heavyweight sensation Rogan said he was “puzzled” by the decision made by the British Boxing Board Of Control. Rogan commented, “This has come as a bolt from the blue for me.”
“I got word that the board was meeting to discuss the fight and the WBU on Wednesday night. This is the same body that recognised the WBU when Ricky Hatton was a champion, Eamonn Magee and Micky Ward. So I am at odds to understand why it’s good enough for some but not for me." He went on to add, “I have done everything by the book. I have paid all the fees asked of me and I have paid for a promotional licence too. I am asking why but I have not been given any answers. I tried calling the board many times without success but I am sure I will find out in the next few days.
None too shy of voicing his opinion, 'Roggie' went on to say, “How come it is okay for the likes of Ricky Hatton to fight for and defend a WBU title in the UK but not okay for a guy from Belfast to fight for one in his home town?”
Rogan confirmed that his date at the Odyssey Arena next month remains booked and it is understood the fighter is looking at other options. The news will increase speculation that heavyweight Tyson Fury, who marks his King’s Hall debut on Saturday could return to the city to face Rogan. The pair clashed earlier this month at a press conference after Rogan turned down an opportunity to challenge for Fury’s Commonwealth and British belts.
It is unlikely the Boxing Union of Ireland will recognise the WBU belt but while the organisation only claims affiliation to the WBC, WBA and the EBU, it recently sanctioned World Boxing Foundation title fights involving light-middleweight Henry Coyle and featherweight Patrick Hyland.
While promoter Dan Lewis claims ownership of the WBU body there are German-based claims on the belt also.
While Tyson Fury fights in Belfast tomorrow evening – the one hot topic at ringside will be the possibility of reviving the showdown the public wants between the Englishman with claims of Irish roots from Galway to Antrim, and Rogan, who claims to be Ireland’s number one heavyweight.
More news on Rogan's opponent and the event will be posted here on ProKick.com as it happens.
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Belfast's Heavyweight Prizefighter winner Martin Rogan's WBU World Title Bout has been called off.
Martin Rogan World Title Fight Called Off
Martin Rogan World Title Fight has been called off as The British Boxing Board Of Control have refused to sanction the fight. The speculation is that the scheduled event is still going ahead but who will be headlining it and for what is still to be announced. Rogan is undoubtedly dissapointed at this decision as he believed it would bring World Title opportunities to Belfast.
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