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Martin Rogan
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Martin Rogan (born 1 May 1977) is an Irish former professional boxer who competed from 2004 to 2014. At regional level, he held the Commonwealth heavyweight title in 2009; and won the inaugural Prizefighter series in 2008.
Key Information
Professional career
[edit]On 11 April 2008, Rogan won the Prizefighter series heavyweight competition on Sky Sports, beating David Dolan in the final by a unanimous decision after knocking his opponent down twice. He beat Alex Ibbs in the quarter-final by TKO and Dave Ferguson on points in the semi-final. On 15 May 2009 he lost to Sam Sexton.
Rogan was due to face Audley Harrison at Aston Villa Events Centre, Birmingham on 19 July 2008.[1] However, the fight was delayed due to television schedules. The fight eventually took place on 6 December 2008, with Rogan defeating Harrison over ten rounds. The referee Ian John-Lewis scored the encounter 96–95.[2]
On 28 February 2009, Rogan became the Commonwealth heavyweight champion in a fight of the year contender which could have gone either way against reigning champion Matt Skelton. During the fight the momentum see-sawed from one man to the other however Rogan prevailed in the brawl by beating Skelton with an 11th round stoppage by TKO.[3]
Rogan's first defence of his Commonwealth heavyweight title against Sam Sexton, at the Odyssey, Belfast on 15 May 2009. Sexton defeated Rogan, handing him his first professional loss, after the doctor ruled that Rogan was unfit to continue in the 8th round due to a closed eye.[4]
Rogan's rematch with Sam Sexton on 6 November 2009, once again at the Odyssey Arena in Belfast, ended in Rogan's corner pulling him out after the end of the sixth round due to a neck and arm injury.[5]
Since the defeats to Sexton, Rogan took exactly a year before making a return to the ring after undergoing career-saving neck and spinal operations.[6] He won two fights within two weeks against Yavor Marinchev and Werner Kreiskott in Ireland. Rogan was scheduled to fight Bulgarian boxer Kubrat Pulev for the European Heavyweight title but pulled out citing lack of preparation.[7] The Pulev fight was originally rescheduled for November in Germany although Rogan was instead scheduled to fight former cruiserweight world title challenger Lewis Andreas Pineda for the vacant WBU World Heavyweight title on 27 October at the Odyssey Arena in Belfast.,[8] The fight with Pineda was cancelled after the British Boxing Board of Control refused to sanction it because of doubts over ownership of the WBU belt; two organizations were claiming jurisdiction over the title.[9]
On 14 April 2012 Rogan fought Tyson Fury for the vacant Irish heavyweight title at the Odyssey Area in Belfast and lost via fifth-round TKO [10]
On 9 February 2013 Rogan returned to the ring, and winning ways, by outpointing the Czech Republic's Ladislav Kovarik over four rounds in at fight on the undercard of Carl Frampton's EBU (European) super bantamweight title challenge against Kiko Martinez.[11]
Professional boxing record
[edit]| 22 fights | 16 wins | 6 losses |
|---|---|---|
| By knockout | 8 | 4 |
| By decision | 8 | 2 |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 | Loss | 16–6 | Michael Sprott | MD | 3 | 4 Jun 2014 | The Trusts Arena, Auckland, New Zealand | Super 8 Heavyweight Tournament - quarter-final |
| 21 | Loss | 16–5 | Erkan Teper | KO | 1 (10), 1:25 | 16 Nov 2013 | MHPArena, Ludwigsburg, Germany | |
| 20 | Loss | 16–4 | Audley Harrison | UD | 3 | 23 Feb 2013 | York Hall, London, England | Prizefighter: The International Heavyweights III - quarter-final |
| 19 | Win | 16–3 | Albert Sosnowski | TKO | 3 (3), 1:56 | 23 Feb 2013 | York Hall, London, England | Prizefighter: The International Heavyweights III - quarter-final |
| 18 | Win | 15–3 | Ladislav Kovarik | PTS | 4 | 9 Feb 2013 | Odyssey Arena, Belfast, Northern Ireland | |
| 17 | Loss | 14–3 | Tyson Fury | TKO | 5 (12), 3:00 | 14 Apr 2012 | Odyssey Arena, Belfast, Northern Ireland | For vacant Irish heavyweight title |
| 16 | Win | 14–2 | Werner Kreiskott | PTS | 6 | 20 Nov 2010 | Breaffy House Resort, Castlebar, Ireland | |
| 15 | Win | 13–2 | Yavor Marinchev | TKO | 1 (6) | 6 Nov 2010 | UL Arena, Limerick, Ireland | |
| 14 | Loss | 12–2 | Sam Sexton | RTD | 6 (12), 3:00 | 7 Nov 2009 | Odyssey Arena, Belfast, Northern Ireland | For Commonwealth heavyweight title |
| 13 | Loss | 12–1 | Sam Sexton | TKO | 8 (12), 2:37 | 15 May 2009 | Odyssey Arena, Belfast, Northern Ireland | Lost Commonwealth heavyweight title |
| 12 | Win | 12–0 | Matt Skelton | TKO | 11 (12), 1:21 | 28 Feb 2009 | National Indoor Arena, Birmingham, England | Won Commonwealth heavyweight title |
| 11 | Win | 11–0 | Audley Harrison | PTS | 10 | 6 Dec 2008 | ExCeL, London, England | |
| 10 | Win | 10–0 | David Dolan | UD | 3 | 11 Apr 2008 | York Hall, London, England | Prizefighter: The Heavyweights - final |
| 9 | Win | 9–0 | Dave Ferguson | UD | 3 | 11 Apr 2008 | York Hall, London, England | Prizefighter: The Heavyweights - semi-final |
| 8 | Win | 8–0 | Alex Ibbs | TKO | 2 (3), 0:47 | 11 Apr 2008 | York Hall, London, England | Prizefighter: The Heavyweights - quarter-final |
| 7 | Win | 7–0 | Radcliffe Green | TKO | 2 (6), 0:55 | 13 Oct 2007 | Park Avenue Hotel, Belfast, Northern Ireland | |
| 6 | Win | 6–0 | Jevgēņijs Stamburskis | TKO | 3 (6), 1:38 | 26 Oct 2006 | Andersonstown Leisure Centre, Belfast, Northern Ireland | |
| 5 | Win | 5–0 | Paul King | PTS | 6 | 7 Oct 2006 | Holiday Inn, Belfast, Northern Ireland | |
| 4 | Win | 4–0 | Darren Morgan | PTS | 4 | 20 May 2006 | King's Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland | |
| 3 | Win | 3–0 | Tony Booth | TKO | 2 (4), 2:27 | 4 Jun 2005 | M.E.N. Arena, Manchester, England | |
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | Billy Bessey | PTS | 4 | 18 Mar 2005 | King's Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland | |
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Lee Mountford | TKO | 1 (4), 0:40 | 28 Oct 2004 | Ulster Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland |
References
[edit]- ^ Petrie, Richard (26 June 2008). "Rogan and Harrison trade verbals". BBC Sport. Retrieved 10 July 2008.
- ^ "Harrison loses to Rogan". BBC Sport. 8 December 2008. Retrieved 8 December 2008.
- ^ "Rogan stops Skelton in the 11th". RTÉ. 1 March 2009. Retrieved 1 March 2009.
- ^ "Rogan rocked by Sexton". Sky Sports. 1 May 2009. Retrieved 16 May 2009.
The fight was shrouded in controversy. In the 8th round Sexton appeared to have given up after spitting out his mouth guard while out on his feet. The Belfastman had mercy on his startled opponent when he could have hit him such a punch and sent him tumbling to the canvas.
- ^ > Sexton Retains Against Rogan. BoxingNews365. Retrieved on 28 May 2014.
- ^ For My Neck'S Trick.. Boxing Mart Goes Under The Knife. Thefreelibrary.com. Retrieved on 28 May 2014.
- ^ "Rogan opts out of European bout". BBC News. 6 July 2011.
- ^ "Home - Boxing News". Retrieved 13 September 2011.[dead link]
- ^ "Martin Rogan's WBU heavweight title fight called off". BBC News. 16 September 2011.
- ^ "Tyson Fury stops veteran Martin Rogan in Belfast bout". BBC News. 14 April 2012.
- ^ "Frampton TKOs Martinez in nine". FightNews.com. 9 February 2013. Archived from the original on 13 February 2013. Retrieved 10 February 2013.
External links
[edit]- Boxing record for Martin Rogan from BoxRec (registration required)
- Official website
Martin Rogan
View on GrokipediaEarly life
Background and family
Martin Rogan was born on 1 May 1971 in Belfast, Northern Ireland.[11] He grew up in the working-class nationalist heartland of West Belfast, a community deeply affected by the political and sectarian violence of The Troubles, which spanned much of his childhood and adolescence.[12] Rogan has described witnessing frequent shootings and bombings in his neighborhood, experiences that instilled a sense of resilience and determination in him from an early age.[13] His family background was modest, with limited public details on specific relatives beyond his mother's strong influence; she was protective and later expressed concerns about the risks of combat sports.[13] Rogan has a daughter and a son named Reuben, whom he named after the legendary boxer Rubin "Hurricane" Carter.[13][14] Rogan's early life revolved around the tight-knit local community in West Belfast, where he engaged in everyday activities and cultural traditions typical of the area.[12] He developed an interest in Gaelic games like hurling, which were prominent in his nationalist surroundings, reflecting the communal and cultural fabric that shaped his formative years.[13]Pre-boxing occupation
Before turning to boxing, Martin Rogan spent much of his adult life working as a taxi driver in Belfast, a job that offered financial stability for his family but provided scant personal satisfaction. He drove for local firms such as FonaCAB, routinely handling fares across the city's divided neighborhoods during a period of lingering social tensions following the Troubles.[12][15] Rogan has described the role as grueling and underpaid, involving long hours behind the wheel while contending with unpredictable passengers and the challenges of Belfast's streets in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The work demanded constant vigilance and endurance, yet it left him feeling trapped in a monotonous cycle with limited opportunities for advancement.[12][16] At the age of 29, Rogan began contemplating a career change toward boxing, driven by mid-life frustration and a yearning for greater purpose and improved prospects. Lacking any previous involvement in competitive sports, his baseline physical conditioning derived from the rigors of manual labor in his everyday routine rather than athletic training.[4][16]Amateur career
Introduction to boxing
Martin Rogan, a Belfast native working as a full-time taxi driver, developed a casual interest in boxing after watching Audley Harrison win Olympic gold in 2000, which sparked his curiosity about the sport at the relatively late age of 29.[14] Motivated by a desire for personal transformation and to escape the monotony of his daily routine, Rogan began training in 2000 at local gyms in Belfast, including Clonard and Immaculata, where he received early encouragement from the community's boxing enthusiasts.[14][4] Initially lacking any prior experience, Rogan faced significant challenges in adapting to boxing's demands, such as building stamina through rigorous sessions and embracing the discipline required while balancing his taxi driving job.[14] He adopted an orthodox stance and trained in the heavyweight division, leveraging his natural physique—standing at 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) and weighing around 224–228 lbs (102–103 kg)—which suited the category well.[1][17] After about three years of training, Rogan entered his first competitive amateur bouts in 2003, concentrating on fundamental skills like footwork and basic punches to overcome his novice status.[14] This early phase marked a pivotal shift, as the support from Belfast's boxing scene helped him progress from informal sparring in a friend's garden to structured sessions, fostering his commitment despite skepticism about his age.[14]Championships and Olympic bid
Rogan began his amateur boxing career with notable success in regional competitions. In 2003, after approximately three years of training and competing, he captured the Ulster Senior Super-Heavyweight Championship, defending it confidently against rivals such as Seamus Morrissey during the Smithwick's Ulster Senior Championships held at the Ulster Hall in Belfast.[18] Later that year, at the Irish National Championships in Dublin, Rogan secured his first national title by stopping Jimmy Upton of Crumlin ABC via referee-stopped contest in the second round of the super-heavyweight final.[19] These accomplishments highlighted Rogan's rapid development as a power puncher, though his amateur record was not formally tracked due to the informal nature of his entry into the sport. Estimates suggest he fought between 10 and 15 bouts, emphasizing heavy punching techniques honed at Immaculata ABC in Belfast. Despite starting boxing relatively late at age 29, Rogan represented Ulster and Ireland in interprovincial and international settings, captaining teams during his brief tenure.[4] Rogan's amateur career culminated in an unsuccessful bid to qualify for the 2004 Athens Olympics. Initially sidelined from the European Championships in Pula, Croatia, for arriving late to a national training camp, he earned a spot in the European Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Plovdiv, Bulgaria.[20][21] There, in the +91 kg category, he faced Polish prospect Mariusz Wach and was stopped in the third round, ending his Olympic aspirations due to inexperience against more seasoned international competition.[17][4] This defeat, against a fighter who later challenged for world titles, underscored the challenges of Rogan's late entry into the amateur ranks but paved the way for his transition to professional boxing.Professional career
Debut and early fights (2004–2007)
Martin Rogan made his professional boxing debut on 28 October 2004 at the age of 29, stopping Lee Mountford by technical knockout in the first round after just 40 seconds at the Ulster Hall in Belfast, Northern Ireland.[11][22] This victory marked the beginning of Rogan's transition from amateur boxing, where he had secured Ulster and Irish titles, to the professional ranks while continuing his work as a taxi driver in Belfast to support his early career.[4][23] Rogan quickly built momentum with a series of wins in the UK, primarily in Belfast venues, against modest opposition that allowed him to hone his skills without significant financial reward. On 18 March 2005, he defeated Billy Bessey by points over four rounds at the King's Hall in Belfast, followed by a second-round TKO of veteran Tony Booth on 4 June 2005 at the M.E.N. Arena in Manchester.[11][24] His aggressive, forward-pressing style began to emerge during these bouts, characterized by relentless pressure and crowd-pleasing action that earned him the nickname "The Entertainer."[25][26] By 2006, Rogan extended his undefeated streak with points decisions over Darren Morgan on 20 May at the King's Hall and Paul King on 7 October at the Holiday Inn in Belfast, showcasing improved boxing fundamentals alongside his brawling approach. He added a third-round TKO of Jevgenijs Stamburskis on 26 October 2006 at the Andersonstown Leisure Centre, also in Belfast. Entering 2007, Rogan closed out the period with a dominant second-round TKO of Radcliffe Green on 13 October at the Park Avenue Hotel in Belfast, bringing his professional record to 7-0. These early fights, often on undercards in familiar Northern Irish settings, provided Rogan with essential experience and local support while he balanced training with his taxi driving job, earning modest purses that reflected his status as an unproven heavyweight prospect.[11][27][4]Prizefighter victory and rise (2008)
In April 2008, Martin Rogan competed in the inaugural televised Prizefighter heavyweight tournament, held on 11 April at York Hall in Bethnal Green, London.[28] The single-night, eight-man event offered a £25,000 winner's prize and marked Rogan's entry into national prominence after an unbeaten professional start of seven fights.[28] In the quarterfinal, he secured a second-round knockout victory over Alex Ibbs, showcasing his power with a stunning finish against the 22-year-old opponent.[28] Rogan advanced to the semifinal, where he defeated David Ferguson by points decision over three rounds, demonstrating resilience after a competitive bout.[28] In the final, he outpointed undefeated favorite David Dolan with scores of 29-25, 29-27, and 28-27, despite Dolan being knocked down twice during the three-round contest.[28] This victory not only earned Rogan the tournament title and prize money but also elevated his status as a legitimate heavyweight contender at age 32.[3] Building on his Prizefighter success, Rogan achieved a significant upset on 6 December 2008, defeating Olympic gold medalist Audley Harrison by majority decision over 10 rounds at London's ExCeL Arena.[29] The win, which saw Rogan outwork the taller Harrison with aggressive pressure, further boosted his profile and opened doors to higher-profile opportunities in British boxing.[30]Commonwealth championship and notable bouts (2009–2011)
Following his victory in the inaugural Prizefighter heavyweight tournament in 2008, which provided financial stability, Martin Rogan transitioned to boxing full-time, quitting his job as a taxi driver to focus on dedicated training camps.[31] This shift propelled him toward major opportunities, culminating in a title challenge on 28 February 2009 at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham, where the 33-year-old Rogan faced undefeated Commonwealth heavyweight champion Matt Skelton. In a grueling contest marked by heavy exchanges, Rogan became the first fighter to stop the durable Skelton, dropping him with a series of right hands in the 11th round before the referee halted the bout at 1:21 due to Skelton's inability to continue.[5][32] Rogan's reign proved short-lived, as he made his first defense against Sam Sexton on 15 May 2009 at the Odyssey Arena in Belfast. Despite a strong start and hometown support, Rogan was stopped in the eighth round at 2:37 by referee Dave Parris after absorbing punishment from Sexton's counters, losing the title in controversial fashion amid claims of an early stoppage.[33] A rematch followed on 6 November 2009 at the same venue, where Sexton retained the belt when Rogan's corner retired him before the seventh round.[34] These setbacks were compounded by a serious neck injury requiring surgery in January 2010, sidelining Rogan for nearly a year. He returned on 6 November 2010 at the University Arena in Limerick, securing a quick first-round knockout over Yavor Marinchev at 2:15 to signal his resilience.[35] Two weeks later, on 20 November 2010 at the International Events Arena in Castlebar, Rogan dispatched Werner Kreiskott via first-round TKO at 2:44, rebuilding momentum with emphatic stoppages against limited opposition.[36] Rogan remained inactive in 2011, focusing on recovery and preparation amid ongoing challenges in securing high-profile bouts.Later fights and retirement (2012–2014)
Rogan's professional career entered a challenging phase following his loss of the Commonwealth heavyweight title in 2009, marked by increasing injuries and tougher opposition that tested his resilience as he approached his forties. In April 2012, he challenged undefeated prospect Tyson Fury for the vacant Irish heavyweight title at Belfast's Odyssey Arena, where he was stopped in the fifth round by a powerful body shot, dropping his record to 14-3. The defeat highlighted Rogan's age disadvantage against younger, fresher fighters, though he remained determined to continue.[8][37] Rogan returned in February 2013 with a unanimous points decision over 4 rounds against Ladislav Kovarik in Belfast on 9 February, boosting his confidence before entering the Prizefighter heavyweight tournament in London later that month. He advanced by stopping Albert Sosnowski in the quarter-finals but fell to Audley Harrison by unanimous decision in the semi-finals, bringing his record to 16-4. Later that year, on 16 November, Rogan faced German heavyweight Erkan Teper in Ludwigsburg and was knocked out in the first round, suffering a broken jaw that necessitated surgery and sidelined him for months; his record then stood at 16-5. These setbacks, compounded by a prior spinal fusion surgery in January 2010 to address a protruding disc from earlier bouts, underscored the physical wear on his body.[11][38][39][40] In June 2014, at age 39 and with a record of 16-5, Rogan made his final appearance in the Super 8 heavyweight tournament quarter-finals in Auckland, New Zealand. He lost a hard-fought majority decision to fellow veteran Michael Sprott over three rounds, with scores of 29-28, 29-28, and 28-28, in a bout featuring intense exchanges but no knockdowns. The loss marked the end of Rogan's career, as cumulative injuries—including the 2010 back operation and recent jaw fracture—along with his advancing age and growing family responsibilities, prompted his retirement without an official announcement at the time. He has since reflected on the toll of the sport, confirming no return to the ring.[41][42][43][44]Boxing style and record
Fighting style
Martin Rogan, an orthodox stance heavyweight, was renowned for his aggressive pressure-fighting style, relentlessly advancing on opponents to close distance and unleash combinations.[2][31] This approach often featured powerful right hooks, earning him the nickname "Right Hook Rogan" among fans and observers.[45] His in-ring demeanor contrasted with his off-ring personality as a lighthearted joker, transforming into a focused aggressor once the bell rang.[31] Rogan's strengths lay in his entertaining brawler persona, bolstered by significant knockout power—achieving 8 knockouts in his 16 professional wins—and a robust chin that allowed him to absorb punishment in high-stakes exchanges.[2][1] This durability, epitomized by his "Iron Man" moniker, made him a crowd favorite, delivering thrilling wars that showcased his heart and stamina, as seen in his Prizefighter tournament victory where he overcame three opponents in one night through sheer tenacity.[31][46] However, Rogan's late entry into boxing at age 29 contributed to technical deficiencies, particularly in footwork and defense, leaving him vulnerable to quicker, more mobile fighters like Tyson Fury, who exploited these gaps with superior speed and reach.[47][4] He often compensated for these weaknesses by relying on his resilience and forward pressure rather than evasive maneuvers, which sometimes exposed him to counters.[48] Over his career, Rogan's style evolved from the raw, power-driven aggression of his limited amateur background to a more calculated professionalism in the pros, incorporating better timing while retaining his fan-engaging resilience.[31][2] Despite these adaptations, his core identity remained that of a durable warrior prioritizing entertainment and grit.[4]Professional record
Martin Rogan competed as a heavyweight boxer in the orthodox stance, standing 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) tall. His professional career from 2004 to 2014 yielded an overall record of 16 wins (8 by knockout), 6 losses, and 0 draws, for a win percentage of 73% and a knockout rate of 50%.[1]| Date | Opponent | Result | Method | Rounds | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014-06-04 | Michael Sprott | Loss | MD | 3 | The Trusts Arena, Auckland, New Zealand |
| 2013-11-16 | Erkan Teper | Loss | KO | 1 (1:25) | MHP Arena, Ludwigsburg, Germany |
| 2013-02-23 | Audley Harrison | Loss | UD | 3 | York Hall, Bethnal Green, London, England |
| 2013-02-23 | Albert Sosnowski | Win | TKO | 3 (1:56) | York Hall, Bethnal Green, London, England |
| 2013-02-09 | Ladislav Kovarik | Win | PTS | 4 | SSE Arena, Belfast, Northern Ireland |
| 2012-04-14 | Tyson Fury | Loss | TKO | 5 (3:00) | SSE Arena, Belfast, Northern Ireland |
| 2010-11-20 | Werner Kreiskott | Win | PTS | 6 | TF Royal Hotel, Castlebar, Ireland |
| 2010-11-06 | Yavor Marinchev | Win | KO | 1 (2:35) | University Arena, Limerick, Ireland |
| 2009-11-06 | Sam Sexton | Loss | RTD | 6 (3:00) | SSE Arena, Belfast, Northern Ireland |
| 2009-05-15 | Sam Sexton | Loss | TKO | 8 (2:37) | SSE Arena, Belfast, Northern Ireland |
| 2009-02-28 | Matt Skelton | Win | TKO | 11 (1:21) | National Indoor Arena, Birmingham, England |
| 2008-12-06 | Audley Harrison | Win | UD | 10 | ExCeL Arena, London, England |
| 2008-04-12 | David Dolan | Win | UD | 3 | York Hall, Bethnal Green, London, England |
| 2008-04-12 | David Ferguson | Win | TKO | 2 (1:39) | York Hall, Bethnal Green, London, England |
| 2008-04-12 | Alex Ibbs | Win | KO | 1 (2:58) | York Hall, Bethnal Green, London, England |
| 2007-10-13 | Radcliffe Green | Win | TKO | 4 (1:52) | Park Avenue Hotel, Belfast, Northern Ireland |
| 2006-10-28 | Jevgenijs Stamburskis | Win | TKO | 3 (2:36) | Andersonstown Leisure Centre, Belfast, Northern Ireland |
| 2006-10-07 | Paul King | Win | PTS | 6 | Holiday Inn, Belfast, Northern Ireland |
| 2006-05-20 | Darren Morgan | Win | PTS | 4 | Kings Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland |
| 2005-06-11 | Tony Booth | Win | TKO | 2 (1:32) | M.E.N. Arena, Manchester, England |
| 2005-03-19 | Billy Bessey | Win | PTS | 4 | Kings Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland |
| 2004-10-28 | Lee Mountford | Win | TKO | 1 (0:40) | Ulster Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland |
