Johnny Fisher vs Michael Pirotton: Heavyweight Showdown in London

Johnny Fisher is done waiting. The heavyweight crowd-pleaser returns to the Copper Box Arena in London on Saturday, September 26, intent on turning a rebuilding phase into a launchpad as he headlines Zuffa Boxing 11 live on Sky Sports against Belgium’s Michael Pirotton.

It’s not just another show. It’s a night built on jeopardy – 50-50 matchups, unbeaten records on the line, and a main event that pits raw power against stubborn self-belief.

Date, time, and how to watch

Fisher vs Pirotton tops the bill on Saturday, September 26.

• Venue: Copper Box Arena, London
• Broadcast: Live on Sky Sports
• Main card coverage: From 7pm
• Preliminary bouts: From 5pm on Sky’s digital platforms
• Expected ringwalks for Fisher vs Pirotton: Between 9.45pm and 10.15pm

By the time the “Romford Bull” starts that long walk from the dressing room, the Copper Box should be shaking.

The records: power vs resilience

Fisher arrives with 14 wins and just one defeat as a professional. He doesn’t tend to hang around. Twelve of those victories have come inside the distance, a knockout ratio north of 85% that tells you exactly how he likes to settle arguments.

He’s not hiding what he is: a heavy-handed aggressor who trusts his power to break opponents down.

Pirotton, though, is not a handpicked victim. The Belgian has 12 wins, six by stoppage, and only two defeats – both against unbeaten fighters at the time. He’s used to being the man brought in to test prospects, and he clearly has no intention of playing the role of silent partner in Fisher’s comeback story.

“Golden ticket” for both men

Fisher knows the stakes. This isn’t just a tune-up; it’s a crossroads.

"It's a golden ticket for Michael Pirotton, but it's also my golden ticket because if I win, I get to go on to bigger and better things. I've got ambitions in this game," he told Sky Sports.

He talked like a man who understands that the performance, not just the result, will be judged. The knockout will always tempt him.

"You want to get the knockout, you want to get the stoppage, but I've always said from the beginning of my career, I've got to win by whatever cost - the win is the most important thing.

"But with my power, my strength, my explosivity, of course I can draw a knockout or draw a stoppage.

"Once I get someone hurt, I know I can finish them. I can smell when someone's feeling it or in trouble."

That’s the Fisher brand: pressure, volume, and a sense that one clean shot can flip a fight on its head.

Pirotton, though, isn’t buying the script.

"He's a tough guy, he's strong guy, he's a decent guy, but he can't knock me out," he said.

"I'm not over and it's not over until I say it's over."

So the lines are drawn. Fisher hunting a statement stoppage in front of his home fans. Pirotton convinced he can walk through the storm and wreck the plan.

A card stacked with risk

Zuffa Boxing 11 isn’t leaning on one fight. The undercard is loaded with danger for reputations.

In the chief support, former world light-heavyweight title challenger Craig Richards faces Radivoje “Hot Rod” Kalajdzic, a matchup that screams high-level risk. Richards is trying to relaunch his world championship push; Kalajdzic is exactly the sort of opponent who can ruin that in 12 hard rounds.

At middleweight, British pair Lee Cutler and Louis Greene are set for the kind of fight that rarely needs selling. Both like a tear-up, both see this as a breakthrough night. Expect leather, not chess.

Unbeaten Preston prospect Leon Hughes steps in with 10-3 light-heavyweight Michael Stephenson, a seasoned campaigner who won’t be there to admire the youngster’s potential.

Cesar Mateo Tapia, perfect in 19 pro contests, meets Leo Ruiz, a 17-1 Mexican based in California. Those records don’t lie: someone walks away with a serious dent.

There’s also the start of journeys. Kayla Allen makes her professional debut, while Alex MacMillan looks to keep his momentum going against 2-0 Frenchman Guillaume Azagier, a matchup that could tell us quickly who’s for real.

One of the most intriguing subplots comes at light-heavyweight. London-based Moldovan Aurel Ignat, who shocked Scott Forrest with a first-round KO last year, puts his unbeaten record on the line against Mexican Olympian Rogelio Romero. Romero is 6-0, every win by knockout. Ignat has already shown he can wreck a favourite’s plans in a single round. This one could be violent and brief.

Fred Pullen, a national amateur champion, makes his pro debut against Italy's Leonardo Faretina, while in a clash of unbeaten prospects, America’s Alexis De La Cerda meets Ireland’s Cain Lewis – the kind of fight that often steals a show.

The Copper Box crucible

By the time Fisher and Pirotton touch gloves, the arena will have seen prospects tested, reputations shaken, and maybe a few dreams broken.

For Fisher, it’s simple: win, and the climb back towards bigger names and bigger nights gathers pace. Lose, and the roar of the “Romford Bull” suddenly sounds a lot less intimidating.

For Pirotton, this is the stage he’s been chasing. Beat a fan favourite in London, silence a partisan crowd, and he stops being the away corner opponent and starts being a heavyweight problem.

One golden ticket. Two men claiming it’s theirs. The Copper Box will decide who’s telling the truth.