Fisher wins Zuffa debut by majority decision — SkimNews
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- Johnny Fisher won his Zuffa Boxing debut by majority decision (cards of 95-95, 98-92, 96-95) over Michael Pirotton in a bloodied 10-round heavyweight bout at London's Copper Box Arena
- The 27-year-old Essex fighter improved to 15-1 in his first appearance since leaving Matchroom Boxing for Dana White's Zuffa promotion, but looked laboured at times and failed to land a finishing blow after rocking Pirotton in the 10th
- Pirotton, cut around the eye from the second round and checked repeatedly by the doctor, held on gamely for his third loss in 15 fights and slipped to the canvas under late pressure
- Fisher left the ring without giving a post-fight interview, a notable no-show given the BBC noted he was the 'deserved winner' yet not emphatic
- The 7,500-capacity Copper Box was short of full with the upper tier closed, though Fisher's 'Bosh Army' filled the gaps; fighters Derek Chisora, Conor Benn and Caroline Dubois sat alongside WWE stars AJ Styles and LA Knight, with WWE parent TKO also backing Zuffa Boxing
- British heavyweight champion Richard Riakporhe has already offered Fisher a title shot, while a fight with former world-title challenger Dillian Whyte appears the more realistic next step, with a Deontay Wilder meeting also mooted
- The win came 10 months after Dave Allen stopped Fisher in five rounds at the same venue, a loss Fisher was keen to put behind him
Why it matters: Fisher's profile as a viral ticket-seller has raced ahead of his in-ring résumé, and the narrow, laboured win over a mid-tier Belgian keeps that gap open just as Zuffa Boxing launches in the UK. With British champion Riakporhe and Whyte both circling, Saturday's result keeps Fisher relevant but doesn't prove he belongs at that level yet.
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