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Page last updated at 18:12 GMT, Thursday, 8 January 2009

Rogan to fight Skelton for title

Martin Rogan and Audley Harrison trade punches in London
Martin Rogan and Audley Harrison trade punches in London

Belfast boxer Martin Rogan is to fight Matt Skelton for the Commonwealth heavyweight title at the Birmingham NEC on Saturday 28 February.

Skelton's European title will not be up for grabs in next month's contest as his camp have not made it available.

The major bill is also set to feature Olympic gold medallist James DeGale who will make his professional debut.

Rogan put his name in the frame by beating Audley Harrison at London's ExCel Arena at the start of December.

The 37-year-old cabbie from Belfast won the heavyweight Prizefighter tournament last year and is unbeaten in 11 professional bouts.

At 41, Skelton is four years his senior.

"Rogan is a dangerous fighter and I was impressed by the way in which he dug deep against Harrison," said Skelton, who turned professional in 2002.

"Anyone with an undefeated record is a threat because they don't know how to lose. But I believe I will win this fight.

"When I lost to Chagaev people asked me whether I would quit, but I feel better than ever and I think that I'm still improving."



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