How good was Khan now we know Fagan had a broken ankle?

[ApolloCreed]

From RTE.ie


Former Irish champion Oisin Fagan came out this morning praising his opponent's performance after the WBA International Lightweight Champion, Amir Khan, looked to have dismantled the Irishman in less than two rounds.

However, after a trip to the doctor on Sunday morning Fagan learned that he had broken his ankle in the very first round.

Fagan said: 'Im absolutely gutted. First of all I don't want to take anything away from Amir Khan - he's an exceptional fighter and a lovely kid and looked very sharp in there last night, but truth be known, that when I went down the first time, in the first round, I broke my ankle.

'Obviously I didn't know for certain it was broken until I got it checked out, but I knew there was something wrong, as I couldn't put my weight on my left foot; hence the reason I looked so uneasy and off-balance in there.

'Anybody who watched the fight or replays it can clearly see me getting up after the first knockdown and having to use the ropes to steady myself while limping.

'Then there is footage of me hopping around the ring thereafter.

'I have to go for X-rays tomorrow, but a friend of mine who is a nurse is quite certain, by the colours and burst blood vessels that the ankle is broken and has also had some bad ligament damage.'

Fagan continued: 'It's wrapped up and I've been on crutches since early this morning.

'It's very rare that I go down in a fight. I have to hand it to Amir, it was a lovely shot to put me down the first time, with a nice short little right hand, but after that, it was the fact that I kept coming forward and when I put my weight on my broken ankle, it just seemed to buckle from underneath me.

'Again, no disrespect to Amir- he's a great kid and a brilliant boxer, but I just don't think he'd have had it quite so easy if I hadn't broken my ankle in the first round.'

Most people in the ExCel Arena were surprised to see the towel being thrown in against Khan, as Fagan has already taken former IBF world champion Paul Spadafora to a split decision; not to mention another split decison, versus highly ranked Verquan Kimbrough in his hometown and a rip-roaring contest with Julio Cesar Chavez Jnr.

Fagan, known for his toughness and iron-chin, threw some nice overhand rights to Khan's head but Khan showed his class with nice movement and dazzling speed.

Fagan said: 'Who knows what would have happened if my ankle was okay all the way through. I guess we won't know, unless he gives me a rematch, which I would be very keen on taking.'

The end came with about a minute to go in the second round when Fagan's coach, John Breen threw in the towel when Fagan seemed to be struggling, in uncharacteristic fashion.

Fagan drops to 22-6 (13 KOs), while Khan raises his profile to 19-1 (15 KOs).

[Max Molyneux]

Well It was Khan who put him down so he was good enough to batter Fagan obviously.

[Gray-Fox]

Same old Khan to me.

No change at all.

[CheckHook]

He broke the ankle from the fall on his way to the canvas for the first time. He was outclassed and outsized if he hadn't broken his ankle on his way to the mat he would have still been out inside 3 rounds.

[Phenomenal-Nutrition]

Missed the fight, anyone have a link? Any improvements?

[Coco]

He must have been out before he hit the floor to break his ankle, that hardly takes away anything from his performance, job well done by Khan, much bigger tests ahead though

[Gray-Fox]

He broke the ankle from the fall on his way to the canvas for the first time. He was outclassed and outsized if he hadn't broken his ankle on his way to the mat he would have still been out inside 3 rounds.

That's true. But it's because he has no athletic attributes to bother Khan, namely speed and power.

[Datsue]

If Fagan had a bionic fricking ankle he'd still get done by Khan.

[overhand_right]

It was still a decent performance by Amir, he did seem to keep his hands up more & move, nice selection of punches -- but the guy was just sooo small, and vulnerable to a punch. Amir can always handle guys like this.

Regardless of the Fagan level guys, its a fact that he will get tagged when he is moved back up in class again -- what happens then?

[Eraserhead]

This doesn't really surprise me. Ever since the fight was first made, Fagan always gave off the impression that he was going to be better talking about the fight (and making excuses) than he actually was fighting it.

Khan looked good. He showed definite improvements. He was less top-heavy and he actually used his natural style - boxing and moving, using his speed. I was impressed. Then again, Fagan was basically a poor man's Michael Gomez. We didn't learn THAT much.

[Asterix]

Missed the fight, anyone have a link? Any improvements?

There have definitely been improvements. Khan kept his hands up when he needed to. All of Fagans winging right hands either missed or bounced off Khan's left glove. Khan fought with more confidence than I've seen in him for a long time. His style seems much more compact now, and his physique has visibly changed, very much for the better. Khan is obviously more sturdy thanks to the extra strength in his legs.

Roach and the Wild Card Gym sparring looks like it is a Godsend for Khan.

[Poncey]

Missed the fight, anyone have a link? Any improvements?

Ahem, available on torrent, ahem, ahem.

[ApolloCreed]

He broke the ankle from the fall on his way to the canvas for the first time. He was outclassed and outsized if he hadn't broken his ankle on his way to the mat he would have still been out inside 3 rounds.

I agree. Also, it smacks of making excuses by Fagan, the whole "a doctor hasn't said it's broken but my friend the nurse knows by the bruises" thing is BS to me.

You were KTFO out of there man, don't come out with this and quantify it with "Amir's a great kid BUT..."

[whicker]

Why not have Fagan V Prescott? Come to think of it, what the f... is Prescott doing next?

[Asterix]

Yeah, we don't actually know that Fagan had a broken ankle. Audley Harrison, in his post fight interview, said that Rogan broke his jaw. He then amended it to he "thought" Rogan broke his jaw. Then Harrison said he'll be back sparring on Monday. WTF?

[Coco]

Why not have Fagan V Prescott? Come to think of it, what the f... is Prescott doing next?

Maybe Prescott ain't all that, he is too expensive to be put on for wins and no promoters want to invest, and he is too dangerous to be used as an opponent

Who needs him!!

[Asterix]

I've just watched the footage in slow motion. It looks like Fagan sprained his ankle. If he broke any bones from that then I'd be very surprised.

[Chambers2]

I thought Khan looked very impressive in the little that we saw of him, the shot that broke Fagans ankle was a beauty and he was using his jab alot more.

It's not new news, but his handspeed is phenomenal. If he can keep his chin out of trouble by improving his defence further and if he can keep firing that snapping jab out then he's a threat to anyone imo

Come on Khany!! He's still going to be a World Champion IMO (there I've said it)

[rob h]

Amir hit him so hard his ankle broke!

[Captain Hook]

Amir hit him so hard his ankle broke!

:) smacks of Ali....

Excuses excuses, just give Khan his dues Mr Fagan....

Dear me.

[Floyd]

This fight proved nothing. This was the same class of opponent he was beating up before. Put him in with someone who can punch and he will be stopped again.

[Chambers2]

Amir hit him so hard his ankle broke!

Yup it also broke 2 of Fagans fingers, it fractured his pelvis, it gave him gonarrhoea and the middle toe on his left foot fell off. I told you it was an excellent shot

ignore this post I'm just jibbering

[McCannW14]

Anyone remember when the great John Mugabi beat Rene Jaquot in the first.

Mugabi put him down with and overhand right and Jaquot went down awkwardly and broke his ankle. Mercante let him fight on but Mugabi battered him.

In the interview after with Gary Newbon Mugabi said "I have so much power when I hit him the force went all the way down to his ankle and broke it".

[Coco]

http://news.uk.msn.com/khan-fagan-fight ... 4#11660955

Fagan's right ankle looks to be at an awkward angle in the 4th pic

[overhand_right]

This fight proved nothing. This was the same class of opponent he was beating up before. Put him in with someone who can punch and he will be stopped again.

I agree -- it irked me a bit with the press 'Oh Amirs back to his brilliant best'

The press don't seem to comprehend the difference in levels of opponent in boxing.