This Friday’s star-studded boxing bill at the Odyssey Arena will be far from child’s play but with only days to go before the big night, Commonwealth title challenger Martin Rogan has compared himself to one of the world’s best selling toys – the Rubik’s Cube.

It takes patience, skill and perseverance to solve the famous mechanical puzzle, invented by Hungarian sculptor Ernő Rubik. 

Accomplishment

The ‘magic cube’ has entertained and frustrated millions of people, in equal measure, since it burst onto the market in 1974. Those who do complete the task, with each coloured square perfectly in order, experience a great sense of accomplishment.

‘Big Rogie’ is aiming to solve his own puzzle this weekend, namely outboxing Sam Sexton, and is confident that he has the weapons to unlock the Norwich man’s defences.

“I have great boxing skill, great wit, I’m a great fighter so I’ll put everything together on the night,” said Rogan.

“Just like a Rubik’s Cube, when all the squares are filled it looks absolutely amazing and that’s what I’m going to look like. I have the tools to do it. I already had the tools to do it, I have even more now.”

Controversy

The first fight in May between the pair was shrouded in controversy, when Rogan’s severely swollen left eye forced referee Dave Parris, under consultation with the ring side doctor, to call an end to the contest in the eighth round. 

Only seconds before the stoppage Sexton was wavering and it seemed certain that ‘The Entertainer’ would successfully defend his Commonwealth title. 

‘Rogie’ clearly has unfinished business and is determined to deliver the result his army of fans is praying for.

“I can’t wait, it’s exciting for Belfast it’s exciting for the whole country. Everyone’s talking about,” added Rogan.

“I’ve trained very, very hard alongside Paul McCullagh and Gerard McCafferty. We’ve worked very hard together and we’ve bounced off each other very well. 

“I know it’s only a short space of time that we’ve been working together but we’ve really pulled it together. A lot of hard work has been put in by everybody but it’s me who has to go in and do the business.”

Neil Sinclair, Kevin ‘Sweet Pea’ O’Hara, Ciaran Healy and Jamie Conlan all feature on the undercard. 

Tickets are still available priced at £25 (tier), £30 (tier), £40 (central tier), £60 (floor), £100 (floor) and £150 (ringside) from: Odyssey Arena Box Office 02890 739 074, www.odysseyarena.com; Ticketmaster 0844 277 4455, www.ticketmaster.ie; Frank Warren Promotions 01992 550 888, www.frankwarren.tv.