Martin Rogan has promised that he will be a "new" fighter in Belfast on Friday night.

The Irishman will challenge Sam Sexton for the Commonwealth heavyweight title at the Odyssey Arena.

In May this year Rogan lost the belt to Sexton on a controversial eighth round stoppage.

But the 38-year-old insists that he has learned vital lessons from the defeat.

In the aftermath, Rogan split with trainer John Breen, teaming up instead with Paul McCullagh.

And Rogan says he has made a number of improvements in the gym.

"I'm stronger and faster than I have ever been," said the man who beat Audley Harrison and Matt Skelton.

"I have to thank Sam for bringing the belt back over, because that is where it is staying.

"I'm going to do it - I have trained very hard and I have a lot more to offer.

"I intend to go out and take the title back off him."

Sexton, 25, admitted that he would be facing a fired up Rogan - but dismissed his chances of victory.

"Of course he is out for revenge but his best chance came in the first fight," said the Norwich fighter.

"He couldn't beat me the last time and he is not going to do it this time.

"He is a lot older than me - I'm still pretty fresh for a heavyweight at 25.

"He's had a few tough fights and he was marked up a bit in the last one.

"So it's out with the old and in with the new. I'm definitely going to be holding on to my belt."