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Khan: I'm better than ever

Bolton lightweight ready reveal new skills in comeback fight

Last updated: 5th December 2008

Khan: Training hard

KHAN v FAGAN
12 Rounds Lightweight
JUDGEMENT NIGHT
10pm, Saturday, December 6
Live on Sky Box Office & HD
Call 08442 410888 to book!
Click here for booking details

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Amir Khan is looking forward to beginning the second chapter of his fledgling career between the ropes against Oisin Fagan at the ExCel Arena on Saturday night.

Khan returns to action on Sky Box Office in "Judgement Night" as he starts the re-building process following the devastating first round defeat to Breidis Prescott during the the summer.

The loss burst the Khan bubble in no uncertain terms and proved correct those who had questioned the 21-year-old's punch resistance following earlier knockdowns by the light punching Willie Limond and Michael Gomez.

But the Bolton lightweight, who still holds the Commonwealth title, is expected to dismiss journeyman Fagan - who nevertheless has only been stopped once early in his career - as he bids to re-establish himself as a world title contender.

And Khan says he has learned so much from the first defeat of his career that he will come back better than ever.

"I've come back as a better fighter, a fresher fighter, mentally and physically I'm a better fighter and I just can't wait to get back in the ring," he told Sky Sports News.

"You learn a lot from your defeats. I went back to America, changed my camp and did a lot of different things and I'm a lot better fighter, I can see the changes in my style."

Khan dismissed coach Jorge Rubio in the aftermath of the Prescott defeat, hooking up with the legendary Freddie Roach, and he believes the switch has already paid dividends.

"Freddie's brilliant - six weeks in LA - I learnt so much from him, we've got the gameplan and I'll speak to Freddie later today and hopefully have it all right for the fight.

"I've got a point to prove to all the critics out there that think Amir Khan can't become world champion. I made a mistake in the last fight and I've come back to fix that.

"I got caught cold in the fight and just couldn't get around it. I got the tactics wrong, the gameplan was wrong, rushing in against a banger...he caught me with some big shots.

"The match was made at the right time but I just got my tactics wrong, should have used my jab a bit more and maybe made him miss a little and then gone in two or three rounds after instead of rushing in straight from the bell.

"I've learnt my lesson now, I know what can happen and I won't be making those mistakes again. But I'd love to fight Prescott again, just to prove a point to everyone that I'm a better fighter him - I just got caught on the night

"I can see the fight happening in the future and I can show the critics how good I am."

One benefit from joining Roach's gym was training with Manny Pacquiao, who takes on Oscar De La Hoya in the fight of the year on the Las Vegas leg of "Judgement Night".

"I've learnt a lot from Manny, he caught me with some good shots and I gave some back. Sparring was tough, I must have done 70-odd rounds over in LA and he was impressed, and that has built my confidence up."