Heavyweight boxer Martin Rogan has said that he has no intention of retiring after his second defeat to Sam Sexton in their Commonwealth heavyweight title fight in November.
There had been speculation that the defeat would lead to his retirement but Rogan has insisted he will continue with his career.
"I definitely want to get back into the ring for the fans because they have shown me so much loyalty, and I'd like to show to them that I'm not finished yet," Rogan told UTV.
"I'd like to get back into the ring again for next summer, it would be easy to walk away, but I'd like to get back in the ring and do it for everyone in Belfast."
The 38-year-old, 13 years Sexton's senior, was out for revenge in the rematch and came out swinging from the off, but Sexton patiently picked off his opponent and took control of the match.
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.
Rogan said that he will be having an operation on the injury in the coming months.
"It's an operation on the vertebrae in the neck and it usually takes around four or five months to heal afterwards, so it's a fairly risky operation," he said.
"I'm hoping to ready for march or april next year, I want to get this operation done and get back out and do it for the people and give them something to shout about again."
© UTV News