Rogan (left) had Sexton in real trouble before the May fight was stopped

Marty Rogan and Sam Sexton were involved in angry exchanges on Thursday as they publicised their Commonwealth heavyweight title re-match in October.

Norwich boxer Sexton won the belt in controversial fashion back in May when the referee stopped the fight in round eight because of a Rogan eye injury.

The pair will fight again at the Odyssey Arena in Belfast on 9 October.

"I spoiled the party the last time. I caused an upset and he's still crying about it," said Sexton on Thursday.

Rogan retorted:"The bottom line is that the referee saved him last time.

"He was out on his feet in the eighth and was staggering around like a drunk in a pub.

"All I will say to Sexton now is enjoy being champion for the next couple of months because come 9 October you are going to get a real belting."

While trading insults is far from unusual ahead of bouts, it did appear that there is genuine antipathy between the boxers going into the re-match as the air was turned blue on several occasions on Thursday.

I'm not like you Martin. I'm not a big talker. I let my fists do the talking Sam Sexton

"I've seen kids in creches walking better and faster than you did (in the eighth round). He couldn't even walk," insisted Rogan.

Sexton responded:"He didn't take me seriously the last time. He's taking me seriously now.

"I'm not like you Martin. I'm not a big talker. I let my fists do the talking."

Rogan also claimed that Sexton had made "disrespectful comments" about the Belfast public after the May bout.

In the May contest, Rogan, 38, appeared to have the 25-year-old Sexton out on his feet in round eight but hesitated to go in for the kill.

Sexton had a further opportunity to recover when he lost his gumshield and as soon as the fight restarted the doctor ruled that Rogan, whose left eye had almost completely closed, was unfit to continue.

After suffering his first defeat in 13 professional fights, Rogan was highly critical of referee Dave Parris' performance.

The two boxers argued on Thursday about the refereeing, the size of the ring and even the type of gloves that had been used in the first fight.

In the run-up to the previous bout, Rogan took Sexton on a tour of Belfast, which included a stop-off at hurling hotbed Casement Park.

Such pleasantries appear unlikely ahead of the 9 October bout.

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