Amir Khan vs. Oisin Fagan

{{Infobox boxing match

| Fight Name = Judgement Night

| image = File:Khan_vs._Fagan_fight_poster.jpg

| caption =

| fight date = 6 December 2008

| location = ExCel, Newham, London, UK

| titles = vacant WBA International lightweight title

| fighter1 = Amir Khan

| nickname1 = "King"

| hometown1 = Bolton, Greater Manchester, UK

| purse1 =

| record1 = 18–1 (14 KO)

| age1 = {{age in years and months |1986|12|8 |2008|12|6}}

| height1 = 5 ft 8+1/2 in

| weight1 = 135 lbs

| style1 = Orthodox

| recognition1 = IBF
No. 13 Ranked Lightweight
WBO
No. 14 Ranked Lightweight
Commonwealth lightweight champion

| fighter2 = Oisin Fagan

| nickname2 = "Gael Force"

| hometown2 = Dublin, Leinster, Ireland

| purse2 =

| record2 = 22–5 (13 KO)

| age2 = {{age in years and months |1973|12|24 |2008|12|6}}

| height2 = 5 ft 6 in

| weight2 = 134+1/2 lbs

| style2 = Orthodox

| recognition2 = Former Irish Light welterweight champion

| result = Khan wins via 2nd-round TKO

}}

Amir Khan vs. Oisin Fagan, billed as Judgement Night, was a professional boxing match contested between Commonwealth lightweight champion, Amir Khan, and Oisin Fagan.{{cite web |title=Amir Khan vs. Oisin Fagan |url=https://boxrec.com/wiki/index.php/Amir_Khan_vs._Oisin_Fagan |website=boxrec.com |publisher=BoxRec |access-date=20 December 2024}} The bout took place on 6 December 2008 at the ExCel, with Khan winning by technical knockout in the second round.

Background

On 6 September 2008, Khan suffered an upset first round knockout defeat against undefeated contender Breidis Prescott.{{cite news

| title = Khan knocked out in first round

| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/7598723.stm

| work = BBC Sport

| date = 6 September 2008

| access-date =17 December 2024| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080906232626/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/7598723.stm| archive-date= 6 September 2008 | url-status= live}} Following the loss, Khan sacked trainer, Jorge Rubio, and replaced him with Freddie Roach. Khan began training with Roach at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles, training alongside stablemate Manny Pacquiao, reigning WBC lightweight champion and pound-for-pound No. 1, as he prepared for his return to the ring.{{cite web| url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/sep/24/boxing.amirkhan| title=Khan enlists Roach to rebuild| author=John Rawling| work=The Guardian| date=24 September 2008| access-date=17 December 2024}}

Fagan regained composure following a split decision loss against Verquan Kimbrough in December 2007, going on a 2-fight winning streak in 2008. Scoring a second-round TKO over Brian Carden in March, and a PTS victory over Konstantins Sakara in July.{{Cite web|title=BoxRec: Oisin Fagan vs Brian Carden|url=https://boxrec.com/en/event/548246/1279638|access-date=17 December 2024|website=BoxRec}}{{Cite web|title=BoxRec: Oisin Fagan vs Konstantins Sakara|url=https://boxrec.com/en/event/552740/1307608|access-date=17 December 2024|website=BoxRec}}

On 30 October 2008, it was announced that Khan and Fagan would fight on 6 December 2008 at the ExCel in London, on the undercard of Nicky Cook's defence of his WBO super-featherweight title.{{cite web|url=https://www.boxingscene.com/nicky-cook-amir-khan-co-headline-excel-on-12-6--16516|title=Nicky Cook, Amir Khan Co-Headline at ExCel on 12/6|website=www.boxingscene.com|access-date=17 December 2024}} It was later announced that Khan and Fagan would headline the event, live on Sky Sports Box Office, along with Oscar De La Hoya vs. Manny Pacquiao.{{cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/boxing/news/4422765/judgement-night|title=Judgement Night|publisher=Sky Sports|accessdate=17 December 2024}}

The fight

From the opening bell, Khan started fast, using his jab, with Fagan attempting to close the distance and apply pressure. Khan was warned once by referee Mickey Vann for a low blow in the first round. Towards the end of the round, Khan sent Fagan to the canvas with a right hand. Fagan made it to his made it to his feet, Khan connected with a series of punches, knocking Fagan down for a second time. Fagan went down once more in the final few seconds, but Vann ruled it a slip, moments before the bell ended the round. Khan and Fagan aggressively exchanged at the beginning of the second round. Halfway through, Fagan's corner threw in the towel, therefore giving Khan the win by TKO. Following the fight, it emerged that Fagan had suffered a fractured fibula during the first knockdown.{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/7767297.stm| title=Khan knocks out Fagan in comeback| work=BBC Sport| date=6 December 2008| access-date=17 December 2024}}

Aftermath

Following Khan's win, in the post-fight interview, Khan's promoter, Frank Warren stated Khan's next fight would be in February. Khan credited his training team and expressed interest in a rematch with Prescott.

Khan defeated Kotelnik on 18 July, by unanimous decision to capture the WBA title, and became the third-youngest Brit to win a world title, at the age of 22.{{Cite news|url=http://www.skysports.com/khan/story/0,25588,15833_5440440,00.html |title=Khan king of the world |author=Hobbs, Tim |date=20 July 2009 |work=Sky Sports}}