Johnny Fisher emerged victorious after a hard‑fought encounter with Michael Pirotton, securing a majority decision in a heavyweight bout staged at London’s Copper Box Arena. From the opening bell, Fisher pressed the action, using a rapid series of double jabs to establish early dominance and put the Belgian challenger on the back foot.
His aggressive start helped him carve out a lead on the judges’ scorecards, but as the rounds progressed his stamina began to wane, offering Pirotton opportunities to rally and test the Englishman’s resolve. The atmosphere inside the Copper Box was electric, amplified by the vocal "Romford Bull Army" that rallied behind Fisher.
Supporters stamped their feet and chanted his name, creating a noisy backdrop that added pressure to both combatants. In the first round, Pirotton attempted to answer with a solid left hook, but Fisher’s forward momentum forced the Belgian to retreat. Fisher’s willingness to charge forward, however, left him momentarily exposed when he over‑reached on his lead leg, a lapse that Pirotton capitalised on with a crisp right cross. Despite that slip, Fisher demonstrated the technical improvements he has made under the guidance of his new trainer, Tony Sims.
He began to employ more defensive head movement—bob‑and‑weave tactics that allowed him to stay inside the fight’s pocket while still delivering punishing body work. By the second round, Fisher had already inflicted a cut above Pirotton’s left eye, a wound that required a medical check in the fourth round.
The doctor’s brief inspection confirmed the cut was serious but not severe enough to halt the contest. Sensing a shift in momentum after the cut, Fisher surged forward in the fourth round, landing a powerful left hook to the body followed by a crushing right hand to the head. This combination served a dual purpose: it further softened Pirotton’s torso and opened a clear path for head attacks.
The Belgian was driven back into the ropes, his composure shaken, yet he managed to regroup and answer back in the fifth round. At this stage, Fisher’s punches began to lose some of their snap, and he appeared to be fighting on tired legs. Pirotton seized the moment, launching a series of right‑hand blows that landed cleanly on the fatigued Fisher. He followed up with a flurry of head shots that tested Fisher’s endurance.
Although Fisher managed to retaliate before the bell, the fifth round left him visibly flagging. The crowd’s encouragement grew louder in the sixth round, urging Fisher to find a second wind.
Responding to the chant, he delivered a series of chopping hooks that rattled Pirotton’s head, briefly regaining control of the bout. In the seventh round, Fisher’s right hand missed its target, swinging wide, but he quickly recovered with an explosive left that drove Pirotton into the ropes once more. The Belgian, now more aggressive, continued to press forward, landing a clean right over Fisher’s jab—a precise shot that highlighted his own skill set. Even with a second cut developing around his left eye, Pirotton remained undeterred, seeking to chip away at Fisher’s lead.
As the fight entered its final stages, Pirotton’s left eye was nearly closed, impairing his vision. Fisher, drawing on the last reserves of his energy, unleashed a barrage of rapid rights, attempting to finish the contest decisively. The arena roared with each exchange, the crowd fully invested in the dramatic climax. When the final bell rang, the judges convened to render their scores.
Two of the three officials saw the bout as a close contest, awarding a majority decision to Fisher. One judge scored the fight 95‑95, indicating an even match, while another had it 96‑95 in Fisher’s favour.
The third judge rendered a more decisive 98‑92 scorecard for Fisher, reflecting his early dominance and effective body work throughout the fight. Though exhausted and unable to secure a knockout, Fisher’s perseverance and strategic adjustments under Sims’ tutelage earned him the victory, cementing his status as a rising contender in the heavyweight division.