IN AN UNUSUAL move for Ireland and Ulster’s powerful back row, Stephen Ferris has been forced into a backward step.
Rested from his province’s 26-21 defeat to Connacht in the RaboDirect pro12, Ferris went along to the Odyssey Arena last night to support Martin Rogan against the undefeated Tyson Fury.
Ferris had tweeted Rogan early on Saturday, saying:
“@BigRogie good luck tonight. Cheering u on with all the Ulster lads”.
However, by the end of the fight, the blindside flanker was much less impressed, telling Tommy Bowe that the bout was fixed for a fifth round knock-down.
This morning, Rogan and Ferris met by chance in Belfast. However, it appears that the run-in was amicable as it occured before the boxer had stumbled upon the online slur on his reputation.
Rogan was seething. 140 characters was not enough to vent his anger so before long he had sent another barbed message to Fez.
After reading the 40-year-old’s response. The Irish international immediately climbed down from his claim and apologised.
However, it would seem that the damage is done to Rogan. Ferris had allowed his statement stand for 14 hours before deleting them and apologising to his fellow Belfast native.
One thing’s for sure: if these two ever do have a scrap we’d be standing well clear and reaching for the popcorn.
Rogan has already thanked Ferris for the apology and added, “I do everything for my wife and children and I feel totally deflated with losing.”
