Boxing

Sexton plans to win quickly this time

Graham Everett says Sam Sexton is determined to lay to rest the controversy that follow his Commonwealth title win over Martin Rogan six months ago.

The Norwich boxer went to Belfast an underdog - but returned with Rogan's Commonwealth title, leaving the veteran fighter furious.

Rogan has got the rematch he wanted - albeit after one postponement because of a back injury.

But despite offering something of an olive branch after a highly-publicised verbal onslaught at a Press conference in which he accused Sexton of trying to divide the Ulster community, the 38-year-old is still an angry man.

Why? Because he lost the first fight when the doctor said his badly swollen eye was too badly damaged to allow him to continue. Rogan had seen the danger signs and had gone for broke; Sexton lost a gumshield and, at the crucial moment, Rogan stood off him. Rogan went forward again before referee Dave Parrish intervened - and the doctor's decision was final.

It still rankles Rogan, but the Sexton camp also takes exception to the inquests that followed.

“They talk about him hurting me last time, but they didn't mention the two times that he was out on his feet,” said Sexton. “They just concentrate on when I was hurting, but I rocked him twice last time, one time he was saved by the bell, the second time maybe you could say it was inexperience from me, I just didn't jump on him when I had the chance.

“But it is not going to happen this time so the punches that rocked him last time are going to put him down this time.”

Everett will be ringside again, and expects to come away victorious again - and with the slate clean.

“Although Sam had dominated the fight he wants to get rid of Rogan,” he said. “He wants to put that ghost to rest and move on from there because they will always be talking about that eighth round - so let's get out there.”

Everett has watched Sexton's progress every step of the way - and not just since his pro debut in September, 2005. “It means everything - whoever I work with I give 110 per cent, especially the ones who give it back to me,” said Everett. “With Sam, he's been with me since a young lad and it's fantastic to see someone you have worked with from a very early age coming through and I think it is fantastic for the city of Norwich as well.

“He is in better shape than last time. The thing with Sam is, at 25 he is at that age where he will improve. I do different stuff with him, Neil Featherby works with different stuff, advancing our training programmes. He is living the life, which is fantastic - it makes our job easier because he is in tremendous shape.

“He's done most of his sparring here. He's done 10-rounders, 12-rounders and he's been using two sparring partners a day so they get one out, one in, so each sparring partner gets a four-minute rest.

“They are not mugs, they are good quality British heavyweights, and he has got through 12 three-minute rounds comfortably.”

Everett remains convinced that Sexton will again show the maturity that saw him ignore the hostile atmosphere of Belfast's Odyssey Arena to beat Rogan first time around.

“He handled the pressure of going to Belfast last time really, really well,” he said. “He showed great maturity there and it hasn't gone to his head; he has worked even harder this time.”

To watch the interview in full - plus highlights of one of Sam Sexton's final training session before heading out to Belfast, go to www.edp24.co.uk/boxing