The weight of expectation falls on Johnny Fisher’s broad shoulders

JOHNNY Fisher weighed in around 25 pounds heavier than opponent Alen Babic yesterday afternoon. While, on paper, the pair appear to be two fairly evenly matched punchers, in reality, it feels like all-action Babic has found his boxing ceiling. Unbeaten Fisher, meanwhile, is still stretching up to find out the height of his own.

“I’m ready for the challenge. I’m excited to get in there,” buzzed Fisher. “We talk about deep waters and my dad not getting in the ring and the fans not getting in the ring, that’s very true. It’s just going to be me and you, and I’m big, I’m strong, I’m powerful and fast. There will be a realisation when my fist lands on you, it’s not going to be a good thing.” 

Babic was used to letting the fists land on opponents before he ran into Lukasz Rozanski’s heavy-handed barrages last year. Babic was over and done in one. Now he gets a chance of redemption in the Copper Box.

“This is about the resurrection of ‘The Savage’. You made a mistake Eddie Hearn when you slide into my DMs asking about a fight with Johnny Fisher. I was in shock that you would put the boy through this but let’s go, let’s go through it,” stated ‘The Savage’.

“I said yes because you underestimate ‘The Savage’. Everybody has underestimated ‘The Savage’ all of my life. Never like this. I was fighting big men when Johnny Fisher was ten years old. I was knocking them out cold.”

The full weights and running order are below:

6 x 3 mins International Middleweight contest @ 17:45 

JIMMY SAINS 163.1 lbs v DAMIEN LACOUDRAY 161.5 lbs

6 x 3 mins International Super-Featherweight contest

GIORGIO VISIOLI 133.8 lbs v TAMPELA MAHARUSI 133.4 lbs

10 x 2 mins WBA International Flyweight Title

MAISEYROSE COURTNEY 111.6 lbs v JASMINA ZAPOTOCZNA 111.6 lbs

10 x 3 mins vacant Southern Area Cruiserweight Title

JOHN HEDGES 199 lbs v LEWIS OAKFORD 197.1 lbs

6 x 3 mins International Super-Welterweight contest

LELI BUTTIGIEG 157.8 lbs v JIRI HAUKE 156.6 lbs

12 x 3 mins British and Commonwealth Super-Featherweight Titles

REECE BELLOTTI 129.4 lbs v LEVI GILES 129.7 lbs

10 x 3 mins International Heavyweight contest

JOHNNY FISHER 240.5 lbs v ALEN BABIC 216.4 lbs