Zuffa Boxing founder Dana White believes heavyweight contender Johnny Fisher is poised to reach an entirely new level when he steps back into the squared circle for his next bout.
Fisher made his highly anticipated promotional debut under the Zuffa Boxing banner back in September, coming through a demanding and physically draining 10-round battle against Belgian fighter Michael Pirotton. While the contest tested the British heavyweight to his absolute limits, it provided valuable insights into both his immense potential and the areas of his game that require refinement moving forward.
Reflecting on that tough introductory fight, White praised Fisher’s resilience and character while offering a candid assessment of his performance in the later stages of the bout.
"He looked good until he started gassing out in the last couple of rounds. But he fought through it, won the fight, and I’m excited to see him fight again," White told Sky Sports. "He’s fun, the crowd is fun, his family are good, fun people, and I love having him a part of Zuffa Boxing."
Fisher has built a massive and devoted following, emerging as a hugely popular figure on social media where his charismatic personality and well-documented love for Chinese takeout have endeared him to a legion of sports fans. However, the grueling nature of his victory over Pirotton highlighted that raw popularity and punching power must be supported by elite-level conditioning if he is to navigate the upper echelons of the heavyweight division successfully.
In a bid to help the rising star optimize his physical preparation, White has extended an open invitation for Fisher to travel across the Atlantic and utilize the world-class facilities at the UFC’s Performance Institute in Las Vegas.
"I have seen something where he said he overtrained for the fight, which is a possibility. I don’t know, only he knows. But he should absolutely positively come out to Las Vegas and spend some time at the PI," White said. "All the fighters should. It’s incredible. It’s an unbelievable amenity you get being a part of our company. He should do that."
White remains firmly convinced that the experience of pushing through fatigue will serve as an invaluable catalyst for Fisher’s development. Rather than viewing the late-round fade as a permanent limitation, the promoter sees it as a crucial learning curve that will mentally and physically harden the undefeated heavyweight.
"He didn’t look terrible. He gassed out there. But I tell you what I really liked about it, when you see a guy gas like he did and you push yourself through, you don’t quit and you make it through that, it just takes you to another level for your next fight," White explained.
"Mentally now he knows what he did. Did he overtrain, did he not train enough? He knows, and now he knows what he needs to fix coming into his next fight, so it’ll be exciting to see what tweaks he makes in his training for his next fight."
Who’s next?
As Fisher prepares to map out the next phase of his career, he finds himself in an enviable position with several high-profile and appealing matchups on the horizon. His rising status within the sport was underscored at his last appearance at the Copper Box Arena, where British heavyweight rival Dillian Whyte was spotted watching closely from ringside. Whyte has already expressed openness to a potential all-British showdown, remarking that a fight between them would be "exciting while it lasts."
In addition to domestic dust-ups, international options are beginning to emerge. Former IBF heavyweight champion Charles Martin has emerged as a willing opponent, with his team signaling strong interest in securing a high-stakes bout against the hard-hitting Briton.
Martin’s manager, Mike Borao, outlined the American veteran’s ambitions during a conversation with Sky Sports. "He’s had an amazing career and became IBF heavyweight champion. He wants one more big opportunity," Borao said.
Martin, who famously lost his world title to Anthony Joshua at London’s O2 Arena back in 2016, is actively looking to return to the United Kingdom for a significant fight next year as he campaigns through the twilight of his career.
"Possible opponents: Johnny Fisher, Dillian Whyte, or perhaps another UK fighter," Borao added. "We will have to see what happens, but Charles is going to make one more big push."
With a promotional powerhouse like Zuffa Boxing behind him, world-class training resources within arm’s reach, and a host of notable names circling for a piece of the rising star, Johnny Fisher’s next career move promises to be one of the most closely watched chapters in British heavyweight boxing.
