Oisin Fagan is planning to give himself an early Christmas present by grabbing the chance of a lifetime with both hands. The Dubliner faces Amir Khan in London on December 6th with Khan looking to bounce back from his sensational first round knockout defeat to Breidis Prescott..
A second successive defeat for Khan would all but end the grand plans made for the Bolton native since he turned professional following his Olympic Silver medal in 2004. Fagan believes that pressure will play into his hands in London next month.
“I’m coming to London to win, no doubt about that,” insisted Fagan. “I wouldn’t have taken the fight if I didn’t think I could win it. Of course I’m going to be the underdog but that’s ok, I’m well used to that and I kind of like that ‘me against the world mentality’, it’s helps to fire me up.
“There’s no doubt I’m being overlooked by Khan his team, they obviously see me as a soft touch but they’ll be in for a shock if they think I’m just going to fall over. This is a huge opportunity for me and I intend to grab it with both hands.”
Fagan, who graduated with a degree in Political Journalism following a soccer scholarship in the U.S. returned home to Ireland earlier this year and says that the timing of the Khan fight couldn’t have been any better.
“This fight has come at the perfect time for me. I came back home to Dublin in the summer after being in the States for a good few years and I’ve come back to a terrible economy. I was a schoolteacher in Oklahoma but I was finding it hard to get a job at home since coming back so the Khan fight came along at just the right time for me. I know a win over Amir can catapult me into the European and World title picture.”
Fagan has based himself at John Breen’s gym in Belfast in training for the fight and he says that Khan’s main weakness is no secret. “I do think he’s chinny but let’s face it that’s hardly breaking news, everybody knows he is, the facts speak for themselves.
“He’s been down numerous times even before he was knocked out last time. He was floored heavily in the amateurs and since he’s turned pro he’s been down against guys who aren’t known to be punchers and of course the Prescott fight proved it beyond doubt. That doesn’t take away from the fact that he’s a great fighter. He’s great ability and he’s lighting fast but he’s a great fighter with a serious, serious flaw, his chin.”
The Dubliner is refusing to make any predictions but he’s promising Khan one thing. “He’s going to be in for a real fight. I might not be able to match him for skill but I don’t think he’s going to be able to match me for heart, pride and desire. I’ve a heart that’s second to none I’m a very proud Irish man and every time I step into that ring I feel like I’m representing my country as well as myself and that really drives me on in there because I want people to be proud of me.”
JEAN PASCAL ARRIVES IN ENGLAND AND DECLARES HE WILL BEAT FROCH
Jean Pascal flew into England this morning in confident mood ahead of his WBC Super-Middleweight World Title fight against Carl Froch at the Trent FM Arena Nottingham on Saturday, 6th December.
The Canadian challenges Froch for the vacant title that Joe Calzaghe relinquished earlier this year on a Hennessy Sports show in a clash of two unbeaten, knockout specialists.
Someone’s O will have to go and Pascal is convinced it won’t be his since England has been a happy hunting ground for the boxer from Quebec.
Pascal beat Paul Smith (Liverpool) to win the Commonwealth Games gold medal in Manchester six years ago and he is not worried about fighting in front of Froch’s home fans in Nottingham with a 9,000 sell out expected on the night.
“I’m glad to be back in the UK because I won the Commonwealth Games gold medal here,” said Pascal.
“I fought a British guy called Paul Smith in front of 15,000 fans and beat him. So I know what I’m getting into on December 6th and I’m not scared at all. I’ve got good memories here.
“I’m quick and I’m strong. Carl Froch is a solid boxer and a heavy puncher but I know I have got better skills than him and I’m going to show that on December 6th.”
Pascal will be boxing for only the second time outside of his native Quebec – and first outside of North America – after a training camp in Arizona, USA.
“I’ve been training six days a week and I’m in great shape,” said Pascal.
“I’ve not boxed for ten months so I’m itching to get back in the ring. This is the biggest fight of my life and I know I’m going to win because I’m the numero uno.”
Big Fight Live starts at 8.45pm on ITV4 & Froch vs Pascal WBC title fight is live on ITV1 at 10.45pm
Tickets are available from the 24 hour Box Office at the Trent FM Arena on 08444 124 624 or via www.trentfmarenanottingham.com