- Published
British heavyweight Johnny Fisher won his first fight under the Zuffa Boxing banner with a majority points victory over a bloodied Michael Pirotton at London's Copper Box Arena.
The 27-year-old Essex fighter was the deserved winner in a close bout, but looked laboured at times and appeared to feel the pace over 10 rounds.
Belgian Pirotton, 30, was hampered by a cut around the eye from early in the fight but battled gamely.
He was rocked in the final round as Fisher briefly threatened a stoppage, but Pirotton held on as the judges scored it 95-95, 98-92 and 96-95.
Fisher claimed a 15th victory in 16 professional contests on his first appearance since leaving Matchroom Boxing and joining Dana White's Zuffa promotion.
Fisher made to work at Copper Box
The 7,500-capacity Copper Box was some way short of full, with the upper tier closed and empty seats dotted around the arena.
But Fisher's "Bosh Army" did their best to fill the gaps with noise, giving the "Romford Bull" a raucous reception.
Alongside his social-media star father "Big John", Fisher has built a loyal following through an unusually unfiltered glimpse into family life, training camps and the pair's well-documented enthusiasm for Chinese takeaways.
Fisher started with intent, swinging heavy hooks and reddening Pirotton's eye in the opening round.
The little-known Belgian was unfazed by the home support or Fisher's pressure, but his eye was cut by the second.
"I can see, don't stop the fight," Pirotton told the referee before a doctor examined him in the fourth.
Allowed to continue, he came out firing, but Fisher responded with a flurry to head and body.
Blood stained Pirotton's white shorts, yet he rallied in the fifth - his best round - as Fisher began to look tired and static.
Among those in attendance were British fighters Derek Chisora, Conor Benn and Caroline Dubois, alongside WWE stars AJ Styles and LA Knight.
WWE is owned by American sports and entertainment group TKO, which is also behind Zuffa Boxing.
The doctor took another look at Pirotton before the seventh but allowed the bout to continue.
Neither man was offering much by the latter stages until a short right hand from Fisher staggered Pirotton in the 10th.
For a moment, a 13th stoppage victory appeared within reach, but Fisher could not find the finishing burst as Pirotton slipped to his third loss in 15 fights.
What next for Fisher?
The Copper Box Arena has already become a fitting stage for the contrasting fortunes of Fisher's career. In July 2024, he overwhelmed Alen Babic in just 36 seconds, producing his most explosive victory to date.
Ten months later, in the same ring, he was comprehensively stopped in five rounds by Doncaster's Dave Allen.
Keen to put that behind him, Fisher got the victory he needed on Saturday - if not quite the emphatic performance he might have wanted.
Fisher has repeatedly insisted he wants to be known as more than a popular ticket-seller with a catchy nickname and viral antics.
His profile has raced ahead of his achievements in the ring, and the two meetings with Allen offered the clearest indication yet of the gap he must close if his British-title ambitions are to become reality.
Current British heavyweight champion Richard Riakporhe has already offered Fisher a shot at the belt. The former cruiserweight world champion would represent a considerable jump in level and a far sterner examination than Pirotton.
Former world champion Deontay Wilder has also been mooted as an opponent, but a meeting with former world-title challenger Whyte appears the more realistic possibility, with Fisher saying there is a "good chance" that contest could come next.
