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Martin Rogan has set his sights on becoming Ireland’s second heavyweight world champion – the last Irishman to hold the heavyweight champion of the world title was in the ring a century ago.  Victory over Matt Skelton on the 28th February t the NIA in Birmingham will put Rogan right on course to achieve his dream.

Having ended the career of Audley Harrison in December 2008 when Rogan thrashed the Olympic gold medallist in 10 rounds, Rogan is looking to repeat the trick against Skelton, Ladbrokes price the Irishman as an outsider at 9/2, Rogan is 13/2 with Bet365 to serve up a KO victory.

Rogan believes that an unexpected win over Matt Skelton will allow him to gatecrash the world scene and allow him a heavyweight champion title fight.

“It’s everyone’s dream when they are growing up to become heavyweight champion of the world,” said Rogan.

“Harrison was being talked up as a possible world title contender and I beat him. Now everyone is doing the same with Skelton. Both of them said that I was a stepping stone for their world title ambitions, but I’m a stepping stone for no one.

Matt Skelton (23 January 1967) is an English boxer who changed sports from kickboxing. He is the reigning European Heavyweight champion and former English, British and Commonwealth Heavyweight champion. He has also held the lightly regarded WBU "World" Heavyweight title.

“Skelton is a great fighter and it’s not going to be easy, but I will go in there believing I will win, and if I do defeat him, then why shouldn’t I be thinking about becoming a world champion” commented Rogan.

Despite nearing his mid-forties Skelton is still extremely up for the challenge and huge odds of 1/5 from Coral, making Skelton the big favourite to win prove that boxing is not just a young man’s sport.

The odds aren’t fazing Rogan “I’m so confident after the Harrison victory. I’ve had a great training camp and I’ve been sparring with some good, big heavyweights in Northern Ireland and the south, everything has been spot on.”

This should be a great heavyweight clash between England and Northern Ireland, and the winner will undoubtedly be raring to get their hands on a title fight. Punters can find good value of 7/2 for Skelton to win by points though it’s more likely Skelton will end the fight early with a 4/7 Boylesports KO.