Johnny Fisher returns to Copper Box to face Michael Pirotton in Zuffa debut
Johnny Fisher will step back into the Copper Box Arena on Saturday night to headline a 10-round contest against Belgium's Michael Pirotton, a fight that will serve as his promotional debut for Dana White's Zuffa Boxing. Fisher enters the bout with a professional record of 14 wins, 12 knockouts and one defeat.
The east London venue has been a familiar setting for Fisher, who built a large travelling following as his early career progressed and whose ring walk previously featured John Denver's "Take Me Home, Country Roads." His rise combined a limited amateur background and time playing university rugby with a public profile developed alongside his father, "Big John," through viral Chinese takeaway reviews, Essex humour and the "Bosh" catchphrase that helped create the "Bosh Army."
Fisher won his first 13 professional fights but has faced sharper scrutiny since encountering Dave Allen. Their first meeting in December 2024 resulted in a controversial split-decision in Fisher's favour; five months later Allen stopped him in the fifth round. Fisher's return against Ivan Balaz ended in a fourth-round stoppage win but was described in the source as unconvincing.
On the response to criticism, Fisher said: "Yeah, I had a loss, but one loss can't define your career. There are many, many people before me who are much better than me who have lost and come back." He also addressed reactions from parts of his fanbase and detractors: "Of course my fanbase is loyal to me. But when things are going well, people want to jump on the bandwagon and when it goes wrong there'll be people who are the first ones to say, 'we knew he'd never do it,' or 'he's no good.'"
After five years with Eddie Hearn's Matchroom, Fisher signed with Zuffa Boxing in July, saying: "I got made a fantastic financial offer, which I would be lying if I said I could turn down. Our health isn't guaranteed in this sport, let alone our financials." He described his first proper meeting with Dana White as taking place over a meal with his father: "It was great to break bread - or prawn crackers - over a Chinese." Fisher has also changed his training setup, leaving long-time trainer Mark Tibbs for Tony Sims and undertaking a camp that included around 160 rounds of sparring, altitude work and 6am hill sprints.
Belgian Pirotton, 30, arrives with 12 professional wins, six by stoppage, and two defeats. Fisher tempered expectations about his standing in world heavyweight terms, saying: "I'm not Usyk, I'm no AJ, I'm not Fury." He named Frazer Clarke and Solomon Dacres as possible domestic opponents and added that fighting for the British title within 12 to 18 months would be "amazing." The current British champion Richard Riakporhe has already welcomed the prospect of facing Fisher if he defeats Pirotton.
"All I've got to do is win my next fight," Fisher said, adding: "That's the only thing that matters, and then the picture becomes clearer. My aspiration is always to have a good time and have a good old swing at it." Beating Pirotton on Saturday night is the immediate objective that Fisher says will determine the clarity of his next career steps.