Johnny Fisher survived a first-round knockdown and won his comeback fight on Saturday, stopping Ivan Balaz in round four in Monte Carlo. He entered Monaco after the first defeat of his career, which came in a disastrous outing against former training partner Dave Allen in May. That loss followed Fisher’s disputed decision win over Allen in December, and the pressure on the “Romford Bull” surged as he faced late replacement Balaz.
Fisher looked vulnerable when Balaz rocked him with two left hooks in the opening round. The referee refused to call a knockdown because he objected to grappling from Balaz, yet Fisher still staggered badly. With just over 30 seconds left, Fisher stood up too quickly and lurched toward Balaz before clinging on until the bell.
Momentum Swings in Chaotic Middle Rounds
Fisher entered the second round still unsteady and traded dangerously while Balaz remained composed. Fisher soon landed his cleanest punch of the fight, but he delivered it immediately after a low blow, and the referee deducted a point on the spot. Once the action resumed, Balaz shook Fisher again, although the Slovak fighter began to fade by the third round.
Before the fourth, Fisher spoke clearly to his new trainer Tony Sims, who replaced Mark Tibbs this year, and Sims’s guidance proved decisive. Fisher dropped Balaz with a left hook, then knocked him down again seconds after the restart. A third knockdown forced the referee to halt the contest, prompting Fisher to roar toward the crowd that he felt alive and determined not to quit.
Fighter and Promoter Reflect on Pressure and Future
After the fight, Fisher compared himself to a hardworking team and said he now sees himself as “Romford United,” insisting he always keeps going. He admitted he fought too eagerly and left openings while facing a heavy-handed opponent, but he promised improvement under Sims. He claimed he always delivers value and vowed to push forward until he cannot continue. Fisher said something sparked inside him when he fell, recalling words from his father and grandfather that reminded him of his resilience.
Promoter Eddie Hearn noted the intense pressure on Fisher and said a loss would have raised serious questions about his career direction. Hearn urged him to slow down before the fight, yet Fisher did the opposite and still prevailed, helped by experience from his two bouts with Allen. Hearn insisted Fisher does not need constant drama but praised the heart he showed in a defining moment.
This bout marked the third straight fight in which Fisher suffered a knockdown. Balaz accepted the match on short notice after stepping in for Herbert Matovu and entered the ring undefeated. Fisher, now 13-1 with 11 knockouts, continues to attract strong support, boosted by the online presence of his father, “Big John.”
