Johnny Fisher Edges Bloodied Michael Pirotton in Zuffa Debut

British heavyweight Johnny Fisher won his debut fight under the Zuffa Boxing banner, securing a majority points victory against a bloodied Michael Pirotton at London's Copper Box Arena.

Fisher, 27, was the rightful winner of the close fight, though he showed signs of fatigue over the 10 rounds.

Pirotton, 30, from Belgium, fought with a cut near his eye from early in the bout but showed considerable grit.

He was visibly shaken in the final round when Fisher briefly pursued a knockout. Pirotton held on, and the judges scored the fight 95-95, 98-92, and 96-95.

Fisher departed the ring without giving any post-fight interviews.

This win marks Fisher's 15th in 16 professional fights and his first since leaving Matchroom Boxing for Dana White's Zuffa promotion.

The 7,500-capacity Copper Box Arena was not fully occupied, with the upper tier closed and some empty seats visible.

Fisher's "Bosh Army" fan base generated considerable noise, providing a loud reception for the "Romford Bull."

Fisher, accompanied by his father "Big John," has cultivated a dedicated following through candid insights into his family life, training, and their shared love for Chinese food.

Fisher began aggressively, landing heavy hooks and causing Pirotton's eye to bleed in the first round.

The less experienced Belgian showed no fear of the home crowd or Fisher's pressure, but his eye sustained a cut by the second round.

Before the fourth round, Pirotton informed the referee he could see and requested the fight continue after a doctor's examination.

Cleared to proceed, Pirotton responded with an offensive surge, but Fisher countered with a series of punches to the head and body.

Despite blood staining his shorts, Pirotton rallied in the fifth, his strongest round, as Fisher's pace began to falter.

Among the attendees were British boxers Derek Chisora, Conor Benn, and Caroline Dubois, along with WWE stars AJ Styles and LA Knight.

WWE is part of the TKO Group, the parent company of Zuffa Boxing.

A doctor checked on Pirotton again before the seventh round, but the fight continued.

In the later rounds, neither fighter was dominant until Fisher landed a short right hand in the 10th, staggering Pirotton.

A stoppage briefly seemed possible for Fisher's 13th career knockout, but he couldn't secure the finish. Pirotton, meanwhile, suffered his third defeat in 15 fights.

The Copper Box Arena has witnessed contrasting outcomes in Fisher's career. In July 2024, he defeated Alen Babic in just 36 seconds, his most decisive victory to date.

Ten months prior, in the same venue, he was stopped in five rounds by Dave Allen.

Fisher secured the win he needed on Saturday, aiming to move past the loss to Allen, though the performance was not as dominant as he might have hoped.

Fisher has expressed a desire to be recognized for his boxing skills, beyond his popularity as a ticket-seller and his public persona.

His profile has grown rapidly, outpacing his in-ring achievements. His two encounters with Allen highlighted the gap he needs to bridge to achieve his British title aspirations.

Richard Riakporhe, the current British heavyweight champion, has offered Fisher a title shot. The former world cruiserweight champion would present a significant step up in competition compared to Pirotton.

A bout with Deontay Wilder has been discussed, but a fight against former world title challenger Dillian Whyte appears more likely, with Fisher stating there's a "good chance" that contest could happen next.