Martin Rogan is in upbeat mood ahead of Friday night's Commonwealth heavyweight title defence against Norwich's Sam Sexton at the Odyssey Arena in Belfast.

It is a first defence for the Belfast fighter after he stopped Matt Skelton in Birmingham in March.

"Sexton has fast hands and moves a lot and it's my job to stop that happening," said the 38-year-old.

"But I'm not worried about what he does - I'm working hard on my plan and that is to stop him."

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Both Rogan and Sexton, who has won 11 of his 12 fights, are past winners of the Prizefighter tournament.

Sexton is 13 years younger than the former taxi driver but Rogan does not believe age will be a factor.

"Age is merely a number, I have beaten many younger opponents and it does not worry me at all," he added.

"It is great that everyone here is getting the chance to watch the fight, people from all counties and from both sides of the community.

"It is a also a family night and gives people the opportunity to watch the sport.

"There is also a fantastic undercard so it should be a great night of boxing.

"I've beaten an Olympic gold medal winner in Audley Harrison and Matt Skelton had not been stopped before our fight so I've shown what I can do."

Beijing Olympians James DeGale, Frankie Gavin and Billy Joe Saunders are all set to box on the bill.

David 'the hayemaker' Haye cleaned up at the cruiser weight division.
He has since moved up to heavweight and has made alot of noise about his intentions to clean up this division too.He is contracted to fight both Wlad and Vitali over his next 3 fights.

David has recieved alot of mixed opinions on his t-shirt antics.Some people think he went overboard.
Have people forgotten the things Ali has said to his opponents? I'm sure a certain Joe Fraizer doesn't find the comments as 'amusing' as most.How about Tyson telling Lewis that he would 'eat Lewis kids'.
Its all just marketing and imo Haye has done a stellar job.He has got everybody talking about the heavies again.It will be held at Veltins Arena, Gelsenkirchen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany in front of a packed arena.
Its by far the biggest heavyweight fight since the days of Tyson/Lewis and the REAL Holyfield.

The average punter doesn't/or hasn't known the champions name of boxing's marquis division,the heavyweight's in years.This has brought boxing's popularity down as a main stream sport.

David Haye has the opportunity to take 3 of the 4 major belts over his next 3 fights giving the people a clear champion.
He brings name recognition.He is a ko artist.He brings massive power,speed,aggression and great technical skills to the division.He is brash,charismatic and outspoken,looks to please the ladies and only wants the biggest fights.A breath of fresh air in todays climate where even the top superstars are over-protected to a degree.Promoters protecting the '0' and going after the 'money' fights.The best don't always fight the best anymore.
David Haye has brought excitement back to the heavweights and has every punter talking about it.He has instilled a new interest in boxings marquis division from the average punter to boxing fanatics.
Traditionally when the heavweight's are doing well,boxing as a whole does well.

Does boxing need David 'the hayemaker' Haye ?
I think it does and more people in the sport like him.People that are willing to take risks,only want to fight the best.It ain't all about the 'o'.
People like Haye can transcend the sport and put it right back in its place as a mainstream combat sport.Just like it was in the golden years of Ali/Frazier.The 'fabulous 4' of the 80's and more recent era of Lewis/Tyson and Holyfield.

What do you guy's think?