Heavyweight boxer Johnny Fisher returns to the ring against Belgium's Michael Pirotton at the Copper Box Arena in London on Saturday, September 26, headlining the Zuffa Boxing 11 fight card.
Live coverage of the event begins at 7pm UK time on Sky Sports, with preliminary bouts streaming on Sky digital platforms from 5pm. The main event ringwalks for Fisher and Pirotton are scheduled to take place between 9:45pm and 10:15pm.
Fisher, known as the "Romford Bull," enters the fight looking to kickstart a surge up the heavyweight ranks. Pirotton travels from Belgium determined to make a name for himself against his popular opponent in front of the London crowd.
The Copper Box Arena, located in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, East London, was originally constructed for the London 2012 Olympic Games. It has since become a prominent venue for domestic and international professional boxing events.
Heavyweight main event at Copper Box
Fisher boasts an impressive professional record of 14 wins and one defeat. The heavy-hitting British fighter has secured 12 of his victories inside the distance, giving him a knockout ratio of over 85 per cent.
In professional boxing, the heavyweight division carries no upper weight limit for competitors weighing above 200 pounds. Fisher has established a reputation as one of the hardest punchers in the domestic division.
Pirotton brings a professional record of 12 wins and two defeats into the contest, with six of those victories coming by knockout. Both of the Belgian fighter's career losses came against opponents who were undefeated at the time of their bouts.
Ahead of the London showdown, Pirotton conducted his training camp in France to prepare for Fisher's power and aggressive style.
Fisher targets knockout victory
Fisher views the contest as a critical stepping stone for his career progression and ultimate title ambitions. "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," Fisher told Sky Sports.
The British fighter emphasized that securing the victory remains his primary focus, regardless of how it comes. "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," he said.
However, Fisher expressed full confidence in his ability to stop the Belgian if an opportunity presents itself. "But with my power, my strength, my explosivity, of course I can draw a knockout or draw a stoppage," Fisher added. "Once I get someone hurt, I know I can finish them. I can smell when someone's feeling it or in trouble."
Fisher also voiced confidence in his overall preparation, stating, "We're gonna get the job done!"
Pirotton remains undaunted by Fisher's stoppage record and physical strength. "He's a tough guy, he's strong guy, he's a decent guy, but he can't knock me out," Pirotton told Sky Sports. "I'm not over and it's not over until I say it's over."
Fisher draws significant support from his enthusiastic fanbase, known as the "Bosh Army" or "Romford Bull Army." Hailing from Romford, a large town in the London Borough of Havering in East London, Fisher has built a dedicated local following. Ahead of the bout, Fisher was joined by Sky Sports Boxing presenter Andy Scott for a training run around Wapping, a historic district situated on the north bank of the River Thames in East London.
Fisher has set his sights on fighting for the prestigious British heavyweight title in the near future. The British championship, sanctioned by the British Boxing Board of Control, is considered one of the most historic domestic titles in world boxing.
Richards headlines chief support card
The main event is supported by a stacked undercard featuring competitive 50-50 matchups and clashes between unbeaten prospects. In the chief support bout, former world light-heavyweight title challenger Craig Richards faces Radivoje "Hot Rod" Kalajdzic.
Richards is aiming to relaunch his charge toward a world championship opportunity. Light-heavyweight is a weight division in professional boxing with an upper limit of 175 pounds. His opponent, Kalajdzic, brings high-level experience to the ring for what promises to be a pivotal contest in the 175-pound division.
An all-action domestic clash features British middleweights Lee Cutler and Louis Greene. Middleweight boxing has a weight limit of 160 pounds, and both fighters are known for their aggressive styles.
Cutler recently explained the origins of his signature post-fight celebration, which was inspired by former WWE professional wrestler Scotty 2 Hotty. Scotty 2 Hotty, real name Scott Garland, became famous during the late 1990s and early 2000s for his theatrical ring celebration known as "The Worm."
Undercard features rising prospects
The undercard also showcases an array of undefeated prospects testing their records against stern opposition. Unbeaten prospect Leon Hughes, who hails from the Lancashire city of Preston, steps up to fight Michael Stephenson, a light-heavyweight with a record of 10 wins and three losses.
In another intriguing matchup, Cesar Mateo Tapia puts his unbeaten 19-fight record on the line against Leo Ruiz. Tapia has won all 19 of his professional contests, while Ruiz is a Mexican fighter based in California who holds a 17-1 record.
Former national amateur champion Fred Pullen makes his professional debut against Italy's Leonardo Faretina. In British amateur boxing, winning a national championship represents the pinnacle of domestic achievement before entering the professional ranks.
Female prospect Kayla Allen is also scheduled to make her professional boxing debut on the bill.
Alex MacMillan looks to maintain his momentum as he aims to continue his winning run against Guillaume Azagier, an unbeaten French fighter who carries a 2-0 record.
London-based Moldovan fighter Aurel Ignat puts his undefeated record on the line against Mexican Olympian Rogelio Romero. Ignat scored a dramatic first-round knockout victory over Scott Forrest last year. Romero, a 6-0 prospect from Ciudad Juarez in Mexico who competed at the Olympic Games, enters the bout holding a 100 per cent knockout ratio.
In a battle between undefeated prospects, American fighter Alexis De La Cerda takes on Ireland's Cain Lewis.
Broadcast details and fight times
Boxing fans in the United Kingdom can watch Zuffa Boxing 11 live on Sky Sports on Saturday, September 26.
Sky Sports is the leading subscription television sports service in the United Kingdom. Viewers without a standard Sky TV subscription can stream the event live contract-free using Sky's NOW streaming service, which provides flexible day or month passes.
The Sky Sports app will also provide digital coverage, including expert analysis, video highlights, and real-time updates throughout the evening.
Preliminary fights start streaming on Sky's digital platforms at 5pm UK time, followed by the main television broadcast at 7pm on Sky Sports. Ringwalks for the main event between Fisher and Pirotton will take place between 9:45pm and 10:15pm.
