Sexton has now won titles in his last three fights

Sam Sexton's boxing career took a big step forward in Belfast on Friday as he won the Commonwealth heavyweight title.

The 24-year-old won the title after his fight against Martin Rogan was stopped in the eight round.

"I felt in control all the way through the fight, I felt as though I was winning the rounds comfortably," Sexton told BBC Radio Norfolk.

"Every time he landed a shot the crowd were going mental, that gave him a bit of a kick so he kept coming."

The fight was stopped in the eighth round because of swelling around Rogan's eye, but moments before Sexton had been on the canvas, although he claims it had little to do with Rogan's punches.

That was the most hostile place on earth, obviously I came in and they all wanted blood Sam Sexton

"They told him that he had to knock me out in that round to win because they were going to stop the fight because of his eye," said Sexton.

"So he came out throwing everything, and we actually clashed heads, he caught me on top of my head and to be honest I saw stars.

"I was still on shaky legs and the referee gave him a quick warning, then he came straight back and caught me with another shot, I should have had time to recover really."

It was the first time Sexton had headlined such a high-profile bill, but he admitted that being the visiting fighter in front of 10,000 Martin Rogan fans wasn't the nicest experience.

"That was the most hostile place on earth, obviously I came in and they all wanted blood, they were there for their man Martin Rogan, but I just had to block that out," he said.

"As I came through the tunnel they were throwing drinks at me, even spitting at me, but I only had one focus, and that was in the ring."

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