Johnny Fisher’s Comeback Victory
In a thrilling comeback bout on Saturday, Johnny Fisher overcame an early setback to defeat Ivan Balaz in the fourth round, successfully bouncing back in Monte Carlo. The young fighter faced significant pressure after suffering his first professional loss to former training partner Dave Allen in May, a defeat that followed a contentious decision victory over Allen just months earlier.
Early Struggles in the Ring
Fisher entered the ring against late replacement Balaz and didn’t have the best start—he was knocked down in the opening round after being hit by two left hooks. Although the referee did not officially call it a knockdown due to apparent grappling between the two fighters, it was evident that Fisher was in distress. He managed to recover, albeit shakily, returning to his feet just before the round concluded.
As the second round commenced, Fisher still appeared a touch unsteady, engaging in risky exchanges while Balaz maintained his composure. However, Fisher did manage to land a significant punch against Balaz, albeit immediately following a low blow that cost him a point from the referee.
Turning Point and Resilience
Although Fisher was momentarily shaken again in the second, Balaz began to show signs of fatigue by the third round. Before entering the crucial fourth round, Fisher received vital guidance from his new trainer, Tony Sims—a recent change from his previous coach, Mark Tibbs, which had settled in just this year.
In a dramatic turn of events in the fourth round, Fisher scored a knockdown with a well-timed left hook. He quickly followed this with another knockdown, prompting the referee to intervene and stop the fight shortly afterwards. In a show of resilience, Fisher called out to the crowd, expressing his determination to keep fighting: “F***ing come on! I’m alive, don’t give up!”
Post-Fight Reflections
Reflecting on his match post-fight, Fisher remarked,
“About a year ago, I said I’m not a Man City or AC Milan; I’m a Stoke City. Turns out I’m a Romford United. We keep going. I know I have areas for improvement, but that will come with time alongside my new trainer. I was too eager and left myself open against big guys like Balaz.”
He continued to emphasize his dedication to his fans, promising,
“Every time you watch me, you’re guaranteed value for your money. I will keep fighting until I can’t any longer.”
Fisher further shared that being knocked down reignited his inner drive, recalling motivating words from his father and grandfather, stating he has heart and will learn to refine his tactics. His promoter, Eddie Hearn, highlighted the immense pressure Fisher faced going into this fight and acknowledged his valiant efforts:
“He showed a lot of heart to come through that—he’s going to be much better moving forward.”
Conclusion
This fight marked the third consecutive bout where Fisher had been knocked down, a challenge he rose to with impressive resolve against Balaz, who had been unbeaten prior to this match. Fisher, now with a record of 13 wins and 1 loss (11 KOs), attributes much of his popularity to his father, “Big John,” whose internet presence has helped cultivate a strong fanbase for the boxer.
