Johnny Fisher, who is 'open for business', will not change gung-ho style for Michael Pirotton

Johnny Fisher, despite struggling when stepping up levels in the past, believes his style and profile mean he’s only ever two fights away from the “big time” in the heavyweight division.

Fisher, 14-1 (12 KOs), joined forces with Zuffa Boxing in July and makes his debut for the burgeoning promotional group on Saturday when he takes on Michael Pirotton at the Copper Box Arena in London.

Fisher, known as the “Romford Bull”, has always drawn a crowd but when faced with domestic gatekeeper Dave Allen in December 2024 most neutral observers felt him lucky to come away with a split decision victory.

In the rematch, six months later, Fisher was stopped in five rounds. He’s fought once since, beating Ivan Balaz in four last December after coming through a rocky start.

The likeable Londoner has always been all-action, both to his credit and detriment. His full-steam-ahead style saw him destroy Alen Babic in a round, but it left him exposed when the two fights with Allen followed.  

The 27-year-old has no intention of overhauling his style, despite hooking up with seasoned coach, Tony Sims.

When asked by Sky Sports if it will be bombs away for Pirotton, Fisher said he was left with little choice.

"I've got to,” he said. “That is the best form of not only attack for me but also defence. Loading bombs onto someone else. That's the best way for me to box.

"But with a little bit of knowhow and knowledge from Tony [Sims] coming into it now, I think that's just going to make me a little bit more effective in doing that.

"You can't change what you are, you can't try and be something you're not. I've tried that in the past, it doesn't work. You've got to be who you are in the boxing ring as well. I think that's what'll do."

If that proves enough to get past Belgium’s Pirotton, 12-2 (6 KOs), Fisher insists he’s edging towards a truly big opportunity.

"That's where we want to get, to the big time," he said. "You're two fights away from being in a big fight. When you've got a following like me, a profile like me, an exciting nature of fighting like I have.

"Yes, you've got jeopardy, and you can lose, you can go down the rungs. But you're still only one or two fights away from being the big time."

There had been talk of Fisher, while still with Hearn’s Matchroom, fighting Deontay Wilder. Even at this late stage of the American’s career, it seems like a leap for Fisher.

He’d be willing to make it, however.

"Of course I am open for business to fight absolutely anyone,” Fisher said.

“I'm open for business. But that fight wasn't sealed, it wasn't done, it was just an idea that Eddie [Hearn] was floating towards me. I was like, 'no problem, get it done'."

"If I get the opportunity like that to fight a modern great - he is a modern great, the knockout history that he's got - an opportunity that didn't come off but one that I was open to."