Khan looking to future but ‘Gael Force’ Fagan confident of an upset

AMIR KHAN is convinced his brutal defeat by Breidis Prescott will prove the turning point in a career — but Ireland’s Oisin Fagan is aiming to send Khan right back to the canvass tonight (10pm).

The Olympic silver medallist meets Fagan at the London ExCeL tonight in his first appearance since being annihilated in 54 seconds by Colombian Prescott in September.

But far from mourning the only blemish on his 19-fight record, Khan believes it set off a chain of events that will guide him to the top.

Trainer Jorge Rubio was dismissed and the 22-year-old headed over to Los Angeles where he has spent six weeks under the watchful eye of the highly respected Freddie Roach.

Sparring sessions with Manny Pacquiao has honed his skills in the ring and Khan feels rejuvenated.

“Things happen for a reason. If I hadn’t lost I wouldn’t have met Freddie and sparred with Manny,” he said.

“Training in America was new for me but I loved it. I’ll do it for every fight now. Now I’m living and sleeping boxing. There will be no appearances outside, no doing this or that. Now I’m turning that type of stuff down.”

With Roach finalising preparations for Pacquiao’s clash with Oscar De La Hoya, also tonight, his chief assistant Jesse Arevalo will lead Khan’s corner.

Fagan, meanwhile is confident he has the beating of the much-hyped Khan. Fagan has 13 KOs in 22 wins. He has five losses.

Fagan won the Irish light welterweight title in 2006. The Oklahoma-based Dubliner nicknamed ‘Gael Force’ is durable and says he has detected weakness in his opponent.

“I’ve enjoyed seeing the size of Amir’s entourage because that just shows he’s insecure in himself and needs a lot of people around him,” he said.

“It’s given me confidence because he needs pampering. On fight night it will be just the two of us.

“Amir’s got to be thinking about when he got knocked out all the time.” Khan is 1/20 with Fagan 7/1.

Enzo Maccarinelli’s bid for the WBO cruiserweight title on Saturday is off after opponent Francisco Alvarez failed the pre-fight medical.