By Kevin Francis, courtesy of The Daily Star

FORMER taxi driver Martin Rogan is being tipped to end Tyson Fury’s unbeaten run.

Ulster bruiser Rogan meets 6ft 9in Fury for the vacant Irish heavyweight title at Belfast’s Odyssey Arena on April 14.

Fury, who has won all 17 profes- sional bouts – 12 inside the distance – is a big odds-on favourite for victory.

But Rogan’s trainer Bernardo Checa says he has spotted enough weaknesses in Fury’s game for his fighter to exploit.

Checa was the head coach for Irish promoter Barney Eastwood when he was churning out champions in the 1980s and ’90s.

“I have watched Fury quite a few times and he has been hurt in many fights,” said the Panamanian, who also trained Roberto Duran.

“He has been put down and there is a pattern, there is a reason and I plan to exploit those weaknesses. The key for Rogie is to be super fit and I will have him super fit. He has quick hands for a big man.

“This is a massive opportunity. All the pressure is on Fury because most people expect him to win.

“Rogie has nothing to lose and he’s going to have great support. Rogie is the underdog and I like this kind of challenge.

“Beating Fury would be one of my biggest achievements. You know with heavyweights, you just have to hit the right spot and the opponent will go down.

“We know that Fury has a good jab and we have to neutralize that to have a chance of winning, but he is also slow and that is in Rogie’s favour.”

Rogan, who has lost just two of 16 fights, won Prizefighter in 2008 and has since beaten Audley Harrison and Matt Skelton.

Fury said: “I’ve watched him lots of times and I have nothing but respect for the man.

“I watched the fights when he beat Matt Skelton and Audley Harrison and I know he comes firing with both hands.

“But I’m No.6 in the world and I’m working my way to a world title shot. I’m hoping to get there.”

Rogan said: “I’m a great heavyweight. I’ve proved that by beating Matt Skelton, who was undefeated and had never been knocked out.

“I have also beaten Audley Harrison, so I have to do the business.”

THE Fury-Rogan fight will be screened live on Channel 5. Tickets from the Odyssey Arena Box Office on 028 9073 9074 or via Ticketmaster on 0844 277 4455 or www.ticketmaster.ie

Tags: Tyson Fury , Fury vs Rogan , Fury-Rogan