Johnny Fisher emerged victorious after a grueling contest in which he out‑fought Michael Pirotton at the Copper Box Arena, securing a hard‑earned majority decision. From the opening bell, Fisher pressed forward, using a series of crisp jabs and powerful combinations to claim an early lead. As the rounds progressed, his stamina began to wane, offering Pirotton opportunities to rally and test the Englishman's resolve. Despite the ebb and flow, the Romford‑based favorite managed to dig deep, maintain composure, and ultimately cross the finish line as the winner, though the battle was anything but easy.
The night began with Fisher still feeling the sting of his teammate Craig Richards' defeat earlier on the card. Determined not to let nerves dictate his performance, Fisher adopted an aggressive stance right from the start, launching a barrage of double jabs that forced Pirotton onto the defensive.
The Belgian responded with a heavy left hook, but the atmosphere inside the Copper Box was electric, amplified by the vocal "Romford Bull Army" whose chants and stomping feet created a raucous backdrop for the bout. Fisher's early onslaught succeeded in pushing Pirotton back, yet his forward momentum occasionally left him exposed, particularly when he over‑reached with his lead leg. Pirotton capitalised on one such opening, landing a clean right cross that momentarily stunned Fisher. Nevertheless, the Englishman demonstrated the benefits of his recent work with trainer Tony Sims, slipping and weaving to stay inside the fight’s pocket while delivering a relentless body attack.
Both combatants began to show the physical toll of the encounter. Early in the second round, Fisher landed a series of headshots that caused a cut to develop over Pirotton's left eye.
The injury was significant enough that the ringside physician examined it closely in the fourth round, assessing whether it would impair the Belgian's vision. After the brief pause, Fisher seized the moment, charging forward with a powerful left hook to the body followed by a crushing right hand to the head. This combination not only softened Pirotton’s midsection but also opened up his guard, allowing Fisher to drive the Belgian into the ropes. The fifth round saw the momentum shift.
Pirotton, sensing an opening, began to unleash his own power shots. His right hand landed cleanly on a fatigued Fisher, and a flurry of follow‑up head punches kept the Englishman on the defensive. Fisher managed to retaliate before the round’s end, but the accumulation of blows left him visibly flagging. Entering the sixth round, the crowd’s chants grew louder, urging their champion to find a second wind.
Responding to the support, Fisher delivered a series of sharp, chopping hooks that rattled Pirotton’s head and momentarily re‑established his dominance. In the seventh round, Fisher’s right hand missed its target, but he quickly recovered, launching an explosive left that sent Pirotton reeling into the ropes.
The Belgian, now increasingly aggressive, continued to press forward, trading blows that turned the bout into a brutal, bruising affair. He threaded a precise right over Fisher’s jab, a shot that demonstrated his technical skill despite the swelling around his left eye, which had begun to close almost entirely.
As the fight entered its final stages, Pirotton’s left eye was nearly shut, yet he remained undeterred, seeking to chip away at Fisher’s lead. The Englishman, however, summoned the last reserves of his energy, launching a flurry of rights that battered the Belgian’s face. The arena roared with each exchange, the atmosphere charged with anticipation of a possible knockout. When the final bell sounded, the judges convened to render their scores.
One judge saw the fight as a dead heat, scoring it 95‑95. A second judge gave a narrow edge to Pirotton at 96‑95, while the third judge awarded Fisher a decisive victory with a 98‑92 card, reflecting his early dominance and effective body work.
The majority decision therefore went to Johnny Fisher, who, despite evident exhaustion, proved his resilience and tactical acumen in a contest that tested both fighters’ limits. The bout will be remembered for its relentless pace, the passionate support of the Romford crowd, and Fisher’s ability to adapt under pressure, ultimately securing his place as a rising contender in the heavyweight division.