Sam Sexton prevailed in his first defence of the Commonwealth heavyweight title against Martin Rogan - with none of the controversy of their first meeting in May.

The Norwich fighter had taken the belt after a stormy first encounter at Northern Ireland's Odyssey Arena was stopped with Rogan's eye swollen shut - but only after the home favourite had dominated the eighth round and seemed to be closing on victory.

The 38-year-old, 13 years Sexton's senior, was out for revenge on Friday night and came out swinging from the off, but Sexton was patiently picking his opponent off and seemed to be taking control as he beat him back onto the ropes in the third round.

Rogan landed with a good flurry early in a strong fifth round, though Sexton fought back to inflict a cut above the older man's eye.

But Sexton dominated the sixth with classy punches, working over Rogan as the latter began to falter - so much so that, before the start of the seventh, he and his corner were forced to concede the fight.

Rogan revealed afterwards that a neck injury - which had forced the postponement of the fight from its original date of October 9 - had resurfaced, limiting him in the ring.

Sexton, meanwhile, told Sky Sports: "The best stuff was still to come, but unfortunately we didn't get that far."

Sexton had been booed into the arena by a partisan home crowd - but, when the abuse continued during the post-fight interviews, Rogan urged: "Lads, wrap it up, will you? The guy's a fighter."