Fury overcomes early wobble to stop Rogan for Irish heavyweight title

By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER

Published: 18:13 EST, 14 April 2012 | Updated: 03:22 EST, 15 April 2012

Tyson Fury stopped Martin Rogan in the fifth round to win the vacant Irish heavyweight title and continue on the road to a world title fight.

Fury surprised the Belfast crowd by fighting left-handed for the first time and that coincided with a tentative start.

Rogan, 40, impressed during the opening two rounds but was dropped in the third as the bout swung the way of the undefeated Fury.

Winning run: Tyson Fury (left) eventually took the fight to Martin Rogan

After an even fourth session, Fury, 23, moved up a gear in the fifth and although Rogan beat the count after a thumping body shot, his corner threw in the towel.

Manchester-born Fury, whose win improves his record to 18 without loss, said: 'I found it comfortable to get left handed in that fight.

'I'm a world-class heavyweight and I'm going to try different things.'

Meanwhile, Chris Eubank Jnr stopped Paul Allison in round four to claim a third straight win.