Johnny Fisher knocks out Alen Babic in one round

JOHNNY Fisher knocked out Alen Babic in just 36 seconds at the Copper Box Arena in London. Roared on by his usual huge crowd, Fisher spent the opening 20 seconds standing off, sizing up his Croatian opponent and the remaining time launching left and right hands on the smaller man’s head.

Babic ate repeated winging rights and hit the canvas heavily. Rising extremely unsteadily, Babic was wobbling around the ring, trying to convince referee Mark Bates and himself that he could continue. He couldn’t and the ref correctly waived it off.

“I’ve got a lot of respect for Alen Babic. You’ve got to drag me across the canvas and put me in an ambulance to beat me,” boomed Fisher, who revealed that he had prepared himself for a 10-round war.

“Put me in with anyone on the planet and I’ve got a puncher’s chance.”

Fisher, who improved to 12-0 (11 KOs), had been sparring Filip Hrgovic in the build-up to gain added experience. Putting domestic heavyweight rivals like Sol Dacres, David Adeleye, Frazer Clarke, and Fabio Wardley “on notice”, who knows where this wild ride might end? 

Getting rightly carried away with matters after his man’s quickfire win, promoter Eddie Hearn labelled Fisher as a world-class heavyweight prospect and not the gimmick some see the former rugby player as. 

“I would back him against all the heavyweights at domestic level,” said Hearn, who is keen to take the journey around the world, mentioning Riyadh and Australia as potential future destinations. Settling down and headlining at the Copper Box would probably be a smart move, given the success of tonight’s main event.

As for the loser, Alen Babic falls to 12-2 (11 KOs). Both losses have come in the first round, and it seemed on this evidence that his punch resistance might have gone altogether, which is a worrying sign if he has any designs on putting together a winning run rather than becoming nameworthy fodder for aspiring heavies.

Earlier in the evening, Reece Bellotti successfully defended his British and Commonwealth super-featherweight titles by scores of 118-110 (twice) and 117-110 over challenger Levi Giles.

John Hedges took home the vacant Southern Area cruiserweight crown by technical decision after his bout with Lewis Oakford was curtailed in round six due to a cut over Oakford’s eye.

Maisey Rose Courtney lost for the first time as Jasmina Zapotoczna pipped her on points for the WBA International flyweight belt.

Four rising prospects, Giorgio Visioli, Jimmy Sains, Leli Buttigieg and Lewie Pochetty, all picked up valuable early-career wins.