Tyson Fury's First Defense Might Be Martin Rogan
by Scott Christ on Jul 26, 2011 12:51 PM EDT
in Boxing News Analysis
Email
Print
New British heavyweight champ Tyson Fury (15-0, 10 KO) is looking for an opponent for his first defense of the belt, and might have one in Martin Rogan.
It would be a lie to say that Rogan (14-2, 7 KO) is the best option out there, but the popular fighter who stunned audiences when he won Prizefighter in 2008 would give Fury a chance to unify the British and Commonwealth belts, which he holds, with the Irish and Celtic belts, which could be put on the line. Fury's promoter Mick Hennessy has already said that he'd like to get the Irish belt on his fighter, and Rogan brought up the same idea.
Rogan's other option right now is apparently Kubrat Pulev (13-0, 6 KO), a really good heavyweight prospect from Bulgaria. He would be the underdog against either fighter, but is likely worth a little more money domestically against Fury, and says that's the fight he prefers.
Rogan, now 40, has fought just two times since losing to Sam Sexton in 2009, and neither were impressive wins, both coming against opponents with losing records. The Belfast native would be lined up to give Fury what rub he has left to give more than give him a serious challenge, in all honesty, but he's a known name in the UK and wouldn't be the worst defense of Fury's newly-won belts.
12 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
It will be hyped as an ‘Irish war’ but Rogan probably hasn’t a whole lot left to give at this stage. But I think Hennessy is right to be cautious with Fury. Talk of Wlad is ridiculous at this stage.
I think Perez would completely outclass him and beat the crap out of him, to be honest.
Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."
by Scott Christ on Jul 26, 2011 1:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Not that I have any way to verify
But someone who I know knows Zack Page (who fought both of them) asked Zack which guy is better, and he said Fury.
At this point in their careers, they’re both really volume punchers who don’t put much on them, only one guy is about 10 inches taller than the other.
Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."
And FWIW
He picked Pulev over both of those guys, not even close.
Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."
Never mind
I’m confusing my people on Pulev. I didn’t hear what Page thinks of Pulev. Chauncey Welliver was the guy talking up Pulev.
Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."
As much as Rogie has a big heart,
The only chance he’d have would be very early in the fight before he gassed out. Once Fury began to lean on him as much as land on him, he’d be knackered.
That’s no criticism of Rogie, he’s a top bloke. I’m just calling it as i see it.
As much as I’d like to see Fury take a step up and fight a good Euro-level fighter like Pulev, I really have no issue with a new champion taking one victory lap fight for good money/press at home. We talk all the time about fighters failing to build up a home base of support, which comes back to haunt them later when they have to be constant road warriors or end up with short money because they bring nothing to the table.
I gather that unifying the titles would be a notable accomplishment, and Rogan isn’t a bad fight for a young heavyweight 15 fights into his career.
by Verklemptomaniac on Jul 26, 2011 3:17 PM EDT reply actions
I mostly agree
And Rogan at least brings relentless pressure. We haven’t seen how well Fury handles that yet.
Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Bad Left Hook
Related FanShots on Bad Left Hook
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
