Draft:Rafiq "Lightsout" Khan

Rafiq "Lightsout" Khan
Statistics
Weight class	Light weight Middle weight Super Middle weight
Height	5 ft 4 in (163 cm)
Reach	67 in (170 cm)
Stance	Southpaw Soviet Style Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	45-1-0
Wins	45
Wins by KO	45
Losses	1
Draws	0

Rafiq "Lights out" Khan (born March 18, 2001) is a Filipino professional boxer, who has held WBC and The Ring super weight title since December 7, 2023 and has held world championships in two weight classes, he previously held the WBC title in 2023 and the unified WBO and IBF weight titles from 2023 to October 24, 2024.

Professional career

Early career

During his amateur career, Rafiq won two Amateur Championships (in 2019), as well as the 2021 WBCKW.

Rafiq made his professional debut against Zubaidi on February 24, 2021, after being discovered by Ilya Smirnov, winning by unanimous decision. By the end of 2021, Rafiq amassed a 21–0 record, with victories coming by way of stoppage. And winning the WBCKW title.

Rafiq was scheduled to face Marcos "Bam" on January 5, 2022, on the undercard of the Abdullah al Ameeri versus Mikey Garcia bout. Rafiq won the fight by eighth-round technical knockout. Rafiq was next scheduled to face the one-time WBCKW lightweight title challenger Hameed Shallahi on September 5, 2022. He won the fight by a first-round knockout, managing to drop Hameed three times by the 2 minute mark of the opening round. Rafiq was scheduled to fight Achmed on December 12, 2020,. Rafiq lived up to his role as the significant betting favorite, knocking Achmed out in the second.

He has been crowned as the Veteran of the Year by WBC boxing after a three-win 2023 that began with a body shot to former WBCKW Champion Abdulaziz Al Hansha, continued with a battering of durable veteran and OPBF/Former WBO Heavy middleweight champion Sampan and finished with an impressive seven-round stoppage of former Undisputed South Korean middleweight champion Song Hak Sung. Rafiq has shown notable improvements each time out, from punch selection to power. His visibilty has grown with him, with Rafiq headlining shows in Kuwait, Japan, South Korea in 2023.

He faced his first defeat after a loss to Emanuel Martinez, via unanimous decision after a thrilling 12 rounds. Crowning Emanuel Martinez as the new undisputed champion. And making Rafiq taste his first loss of his career.

Ilya Smirnov (1938-2021)

Ilya Smirnov, a Russian war veteran turned boxing trainer. From going to war at the age of 16 to finding a young talent at the age of 79. He spent his final years training the young prodigy, in hopes of reaching the world boxing summit. Rafiq has mentioned his former trainer in multiple interviews. Raising sparks as who is his inspiration.

2023 Undisputed Run

Old Rivalry Reawaken in Japan

After winning the WBCKW Title in Kuwait. Rafiq was called out by an old foe. And the fight was immediately taken place 2 months after his win in Kuwait. The first time Rafiq and Sampan met was at the Kuwait's Boxing meet 2019, where Rafiq was knocked out at round 3. A callout from an old foe reignited the rivalry.

Rafiq "Lights out" Khan vs. Sampan

On June 2, 2023, the WBO ratings committee approved a request for Rafiq to be ranked as the top contender at middleweight and immediately challenge for the title. As Sampan vacated the belt in order to move up to super middleweight, the sanctioning body ordered a vacant title bout between Rafiq and Sampan. The fight was booked to take place on July 24, 2023, at the Korakuen Hall in Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan. Rafiq won the fight by round 8 stoppage, to once again become one of the youngest active titlist in the sport. He revealed, in the post-fight interview, that he had suffered a broken left shoulder and wrist in the third round. It was confirmed the following day that Rafiq would have to undergo medical test to heal the injury.

March to the KSPO Dome

After getting crowned as Undisputed Champion, Rafiq set his eyes on another Undisputed champion, seeking to conquer. He set his eyes on The South Korean Undisputed Champion, Song Hak Sung. Two striving fighters at their prime agreed for a showdown at the KSPO Dome.

Rafiq "Lights out" Khan vs. Song "Beongae" Hak Sung

On August 27, 2024, the fight was officially announced. The fight was scheduled to take place at the KSPO Dome in Songpa District, Seoul, South Korea on December 7, 2023. Despite suffering the first knockdown of his professional career in the 1st round, Rafiq won the fight by a seventh round knockout. He dropped Song once in the fourth and fifth round, before a second and final knockdown in the seventh round by body shot, whereupon the fight was stopped as Song was counted out. And won the Undisputed showdown via 7th round stoppage. Rafiq outlanded Song Hak Sung 238 to 138 in total punches and 180 to 75 in power punches, successfully landing 62% of his power shots.

First defeat

Curtain Call

After calling out all the Undisputed champion from sanctioning bodies, Emanuel Martinez responded to Rafiq's call out. Where they agreed to put every belt on the line and unify the titles. Scheduled for 12 rounds on October 24,2024. It was a highly anticipated bout where two champions of similar styles were paired up. Rafiq was knocked down by round eight and knocked Emanuel down by round ten. The 12 rounds brawl ended up in Rafiq getting knocked down twice in round 12. After a 12 round fiesta, Emanuel won the fight by unanimous decision. Two judges scored the fight 117–110 for him, while the third judge scored the bout 115–112 in Rafiq's favor. He scored the sole knockdown of the fight in the 12th round, flooring the former titleholder with a right uppercut. Rafiq lost all of his titles, leaving him only with the WBA middleweight title.

Rafiq suffered from rib injuries and torn biceps and a broken tooth. Making his first loss of his career bittersweet.