Onwards and upwards for champ Sexton


09 November 2009 10:40

Team Sexton are aiming for the top after another successful venture into the lion's den that is Martin Rogan's back yard.

City heavyweight Sam Sexton has set his sights on a world title shot after beating Rogan for the second time this year in front of a fanatical Belfast crowd at the Odyssey Arena.

It means the Commonweath belt remains in Norwich - but Sexton now has his sights set on bigger things.

“I've defended it for the first time, and in style,” he said. “But I want bigger things now, the Commonwealth title is soon going to be small fish, I want European titles and world titles.”

David Haye, who beat Russian giant Nikolai Valuev on Saturday, 24 hours after Sexton's win over Rogan, is the one he has his eyes on, but his status as mandatory challenger to British champion Danny Williams is first on the agenda. Talks are likely to be held with promoter Frank Warren this week, with the case for a big fight night in Norwich almost certainly on the agenda.

“We would love to have a British title fight in Norwich,” said Sexton's trainer Graham Everett. “That would be fantastic. I am pretty certain that Mr Warren would like to see it happen to.”

Cromer boxing brothers Michael, Liam and Ryan Walsh are stablemates of Sexton and led him into the ring on Friday - and would certainly be included in a fight night in the city.

Everett insists Sexton is improving as a boxer - and proved it against Rogan, and says the 25-year-old's world title ambitions are more than realistic.

“Of course - that has got to be his goal, to fight people like that,” said Everett. “Why not? Obviously we would like Sam to gain more experience, but if the opportunity comes you have to say yes.

“Sam has only had 13 fights and he isn't highly experienced, yet he's Commonwealth champion.

“He is turning a corner, he knows what it's all about. He lives a proper life, he keeps fit, he keeps healthy, he eats the right things.

“He has advanced so much this year. He is top of the pile domestically and we just want to keep moving things forward.”

Sexton takes a well-earned rest now, but a fight with Williams is not likely to be far away - and it's not one that will be taken lightly, even though the Brixton Bomber's explosive power appears to be on the wane.

“You can never take someone like Danny Williams and his punching power for granted,” he said. “He does look to have faded, but I have a lot of respect for him and if the fight is arranged we will prepare in the best possible way, no corners cut at all.”

Sexton's first trip to Belfast, in May, ended in controversy, but there were no arguments after Friday's contest, with Rogan retiring after the sixth round, later citing an injury.

Rogan's best round was arguably the fifth, but Sexton came through it and followed up with a damaging sixth, when he had the challenger on the back foot.

“I'm absolutely ecstatic,” said Everett. “Really, really pleased. The weeks and months of hard work paid off. We had a game plan, we worked on it every day and Sam executed it to perfection.

“Team Sexton worked well - we had the Walsh brothers supporting Sam, Neil Featherby had him in top shape physically and we had a terrific group of fans who travelled over and, despite being totally outnumbered, made themselves heard - it was a great help.”

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