By Leonard Gunning

Oisin Fagan, 23-6 (14), has been dealt some crushing blows by the game of boxing but aims to turn around recent disappointments when he faces Eddie Hyland for the IBF International super featherweight title this Saturday.  The fight takes place at the National Basketball Arena, Dublin; Fagan has dubbed the contest the ‘Tallaght Civil War’.

Fagan’s narrative is an intriguing one.  A talented soccer player, Fagin, 35, was a latecomer to the boxing pro game.  With only a handful of amateur bouts in Ireland, he got into the professional game in the US after he completed a degree in Physical Education and Political Journalism at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma.

Whilst in the USA he made a name for himself as a tough brawling pressure fighter who has never been afraid to duck anyone, losing controversial split decisions to Verquan Kimbrough and unbeaten former WBA and IBF lightweight world champion Paul Spadafora.

Fagan returned to Europe in 2008 for a shot at dethroning British golden boy Amir Khan, this fight ended in disaster when Fagin suffered a broken ankle after falling awkwardly during a first round knockdown.  That two-round loss still haunts him but he aims to put it behind him and get on with his career.

“It upsets me every time I think of that fight and what might have been if I didn't break my leg so early,” bemoaned Fagin.  “However, maybe if that didn't happen, I might not be in a position to take this fight.”

Fagan trained with a Breen Team in Belfast for the fight against Khan, but is now based back in his home city.  “I'm out training with Phil Sutcliffe and Joe Clifford in Crumlin, Dublin, with my new team, Dolphil Promotions,” he said.  “Don O'Leary is the other piece of the partnership - it's been a great camp.

“Training is great.  Since I'm a trainer myself, I have the freedom to go out for skills training with Phil and Joe four times a week and do my own fitness training on the other three days.  This means I can maximise productivity and mix it up as I please.  I spar with amateur Irish champs, Conor Ahearn, Phil Sutcliffe Jr., Robert Gorman and Dean Evans when he's around. All great sparring partners.”

Hyland and Fagan are originally from Tallaght, a south Dublin suburb, they are no strangers to each other, the two men have sparred often, and both boxers are expecting this to be a blood-and-guts encounter.

“Eddie and I have sparred before and they are always killer spars,” claimed Fagin.  “So I am really looking forward to a Gatti-Ward match-up on Sat night, and, please God, I'll emerge victorious after the 'Tallaght's Civil War'.”

Although both fighters are prepared to go into the trenches to achieve their goals, Fagan still maintains the utmost respect for Eddie, 28, his brothers Patrick and Paulie (who both fight on Saturday nights bill) and their father Paddy, who also promotes the Hylands.

“I know Eddie- he's a great lad. I am very fond of all the Hylands and are fans of them all, when I'm not fighting them.”

The ‘Gael Force’ is hoping the winds of change can blow him some good fortune; he is looking forward to the fight, as he believes this is his time to shine.  “There's a HUGE amount on the line and it's not a fight I can contemplate losing,” stressed Fagin. 

“I'll have nowhere to go but down if I make a mess of an opportunity like this.  I MUST win this fight!  Eddie is still young enough to make a return if he loses this one, but not me, so it's out of the question for me to lose this fight.”