When Martin Rogan sparred with a teenage Tyson Fury, he knew he was facing a future world champion.

Fury would go on to defeat Rogan in five rounds in 2012, as part of his rise through the heavyweight ranks. But years earlier, Rogan had already shared the ring with the future “Gypsy King” and instantly recognized his talent.

Speaking on the Whiskey ‘n White podcast, Rogan recalled, “The strange thing is, when he was 17, Nugget (Gerry Nugent) called me up and asked if I would come over and spar with this kid from England who was trying to make the Irish team. I went down there, and Nugget told me, ‘Take him around, do three or four rounds with him, and just go easy on him.'”

Rogan continued, “I got in the ring, landed a few good shots, worked his body, and afterward, while sitting on the boxing apron, I asked him his name. He said, ‘It’s Tyson Fury.’ I replied, ‘That’s a great name. Is that your real name?’ And he confirmed it. I told him, ‘If you keep boxing like that and keep going, there’s no doubt you’ll be a world heavyweight champion.’ And today, there he is—or was—heavyweight champion of the world.”

Rogan, now 49, retired in 2014 with a professional record of 16 wins and six losses, including a stint as Commonwealth champion. Fury, meanwhile, at 36, proved Rogan’s prediction correct when he famously dethroned Wladimir Klitschko in 2015 to become world champion.

Fury’s journey wasn’t without its struggles. After battling depression and substance abuse, he made a triumphant return to the ring in 2018, reclaiming his championship status two years later. However, in May of this year, Fury lost his WBC title in his first professional defeat to Oleksandr Usyk. A rematch is set for December 21.