Johnny Fisher has reignited his path to British boxing stardom with a vital and violent victory over the previously undefeated Ivan Balaz in Monte Carlo. The Romford heavyweight, fighting with his career on the line, survived a first-round crisis to stop his opponent in the fourth round on Saturday night.
A Fight He Could Not Afford to Lose
Stepping into the ring at the Salles des Etoiles, a venue steeped in boxing history, Johnny Fisher faced immense pressure. His first fight since a shocking stoppage loss to Dave Allen in May was a genuine make-or-break moment. Another defeat could have derailed his promising career permanently.
"I was under a lot of pressure after the loss," Fisher admitted post-fight. "I had to get rid of the baggage from the last fight and I know that is never easy." The 26-year-old entered the bout with a record of 13 wins from 14 fights, his only blemish being that recent rematch with Allen.
Surviving the Onslaught and Seizing Control
The fight began disastrously for Fisher. In the opening round, Balaz landed a looping right cross followed by a sharp left hook that sent Fisher tumbling to the canvas. Although it wasn't officially ruled a knockdown, Fisher's legs were unsteady and his eyes glazed; he was perilously close to a second consecutive stoppage defeat.
"That was a tough round; I have never been that wild in the first round," Fisher said. Crucially, he survived the remaining seconds. Regrouping with his new trainer, Tony Sims, Fisher composed himself in the second and third rounds, boxing with more discipline and avoiding further risks.
The Dramatic Fourth-Round Finish
By the start of the fourth, Balaz was visibly fatigued. Fisher seized his moment, dropping the Slovakian fighter three times in quick succession, forcing the referee to mercifully halt the contest. The victory was a cathartic release for Fisher and his loyal 'Bosh Army' of fans, hundreds of whom had travelled to Monaco.
"At the end of the day, I'm in this job to give people entertainment," Fisher added. "They pay a lot of money to follow me all over and I owe it to them to give them something back."
An Unforgettable Night of Fights in Monaco
Fisher's redemption was just one chapter on a card packed with drama for Matchroom Boxing. The British welterweight title fight between Conah Walker and Olympic silver medallist Pat McCormack ended in a savage twelfth-round stoppage, with Walker sending McCormack through the ropes.
Perhaps the most shocking result of the night saw Elif Nur Turhan claim the IBF lightweight title by stopping the feared Beatriz 'The Beast' Ferreira in the fifth round. Turhan's dominant performance is likely to make her one of the most avoided fighters in women's boxing.
Back on Track for British Honours
With his demons seemingly conquered, Fisher now looks ahead. "I'm not stupid," he stated. "I know I have to refine if I want to win a British title. I have to apply what I do in the gym and do it in the ring. I'm capable of it." His clear-eyed self-awareness, a rare trait in the heavyweight division, combined with his proven resilience and fan-friendly style, suggests Johnny Fisher is firmly back on track for the domestic stardom that once seemed inevitable.
