Johnny Fisher W10 Michael Pirotton... England’s Johnny Fisher delivered a hard-earned victory for his legion of fans at London’s Copper Box Arena at Zuffa Boxing 11. Fisher outbattled Belgium’s Michael Pirotton over ten grueling rounds in the heavyweight main event Fisher was forced to dig deep, but found the shots he needed when it mattered to battle his way to a majority decision victory over the durable Belgian heavyweight. Fisher took a majority decision verdict, with the judges scoring the contest 95-95, 98-92, 96-95 to give an exhausted “The Romford Bull” the 15th victory of his career.

 

Pirotton got to work immediately and, after Fisher swung and missed with a big shot, clipped “The Romford Bull” with a two-punch combination to serve a warning to the Englishman. In response, Fisher then exploded into a big salvo of his own as he made sure the Belgian got a taste of his power, too.

 

In the second round, a big left hook from Fisher got through and appeared to stun Pirotton, and while Pirotton’s shots were getting through to Fisher, the Englishman was able to walk through to land some big shots, ripping hard punches to the body, then coming over the top to send Pirotton back to his corner with a cut on his left eyebrow.

Fisher came out for round three looking much more aggressive, and landed some big shots that started to have an effect on Pirotton. The Belgian came back swinging, and connected with a solid right of his own.

 

By the middle of round four, Pirotton’s cut had started to bleed profusely, and the referee paused the action to let the doctor inspect the cut, as Pirotton begged the medic to let the action continue. The decision was made to proceed, and Fisher turned up the pressure, hammering Pirotton with shots for the rest of the round as the Belgian looked to cover up against the ropes.

 

Pirotton came back strongly in the fifth as he pushed the pace on Fisher and forced the Englishman to work off the back foot. Fisher’s work started to look a bit labored, and the Belgian sensed an opportunity. He connected with a flashy one-two combination and continued to land good shots. But, in the closing seconds of the round, Fisher connected with a superb short hook that clearly rocked Pirotton just before the bell.

 

The back-and-forth action continued through the next three rounds, with both men looking to land big shots, but with neither seemingly able to connect with enough power to deter or discombobulate the other, though Pirotton appeared to be punching his way back into the contest through rounds seven and eight with two of his strongest rounds of the contest.

 

By the ninth, Fisher was starting to look tired, but was still dangerous with his power. And, despite the Englishman’s bobbing and weaving, Pirotton was able to connect more frequently as he continued to push the pace on the hometown fighter.

 

Remarkably, after nine energy-sapping rounds, the bout went into the final round and, after a strong start from Pirotton, Fisher unloaded a massive right hand that shook the Belgian down to his boots. Fisher looked the more tired fighter, but he continued to throw bombs as he bobbed and weaved away from Pirotton’s hooks. The Belgian was keeping his form much better, but Fisher’s power punches found their mark. Those power shots may have proved decisive in the final reckoning.