JOHNNY FISHER has knocked out Alen Babic in 36 SECONDS in his biggest test yet at the Copper Box in London.After a stacked – but knockout free – undercard, Fisher battered Babic inside one round in front of wild scenes.The Romford Bull put the British heavyweight division on notice with the stunning victory.BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSEddie Hearn: The real dealEddie Hearn meanwhile, had this to say: “This ain’t a gimmick, you’re looking at a world-class heavyweight prospect and talking about a guy with two amateur fights!”I’d back him against anyone at British title level and after Fabio-Frazer, I called him to say he’d beat them both. Get excited, because he’s the real deal.”Copy linkCopiedFisher speaking Fisher is, as you’d expected, pleased but not surprised at this outcome: “This is one of the most special nights of my career and life tonight, prepared like I never have before and it shows what level I can get to. I’ll keep going on, have faith in God, my trainer, my team.”Credit: GettyCopy linkCopiedFisher wins36 seconds was the official time of this scarily speedy stoppage. Fisher speaking in the ring now, as questions will inevitably be asked of Babic’s punch resistance – or what was left of it coming into this.Credit: GettyCopy linkCopiedFisher vs BabicI’m not sure if that was even a minute, next thing you know, Fisher lands a combination which floors the Croatian.He staggers back to his feet but looks out of it, and the referee wisely waves this contest off.Fisher wins…inside the first minute!Copy linkCopiedFisher vs BabicAnd there’s off! Fisher lands a five-punch combo with Babic a standing target and just lime that, he’s out!Copy linkCopiedFisher vs BabicCountry Road plays and he’s got the crowd in the palm of his hand, on a string at the top step conducting as they sing in tandem. Can the subsequent performance match this?Copy linkCopiedFisher vs BabicFisher next, and the scene is almost angelic – like Joe Joyce against Zhilei Zhang last year – as he takes his time soaking up the walk. CopperBosh promo playing before he inevitably gets a hero’s welcome…Copy linkCopiedFisher vs BabicAC/DC’s Thunderstruck has just blared over the speakers with a Matchroom promotional video on the big screen, and now, Sweet Caroline – of course – is next.Copperbox’s WiFi doesn’t want to play ball but we’re nearly there as boos ring out with Babic walking first.Copy linkCopiedBellotti retains118-110, 118-110, 117-110 the scores as Bellotti retains his titles, not without a late scare of course, but there you go.Now the anticipation can build once more before tonight’s main event, as the lights start to do their thing and everyone is standing once again.Copy linkCopiedGiles vs Bellotti into final roundGiles is winging with bad intentions in the final minute of the 12th, and hurts Bellotti!The referee tells him to stop, the champion’s pinned with his head in the corner, eating a flurry of inspired punishment before getting overenthusiastic and ruining his chance at a hail-mary in the dying seconds after throwing him to the canvas…Late drama but we go to the scorecards now after 12.Copy linkCopiedGiles vs BellottiGiles has countered well in patches but cannot stop Bellotti from tagging him with consistent body work, nor land the final punch when they exchange up close.The Grimbsy native’s vocal support has died down rather drastically in recent rounds, now drowned out by intermittent chants for a champion who looks set for another UD12 win after outpointing Liam Dillon to unify these titles in February.Copy linkCopiedCopper Box latestSomeone has just asked me how long I’ve been sitting here – six hours and counting – responding by declaring we’ve not seen one knockdown tonight across six bouts.Wardley is now just in-front of the media seats, he’ll almost certainly be doing some analysis or commentary of some kind for the headliner.Fisher and Babic both shown intensifying their warm-ups on the big screen now, Bellotti looks good value to retain his titles tonight if he continues boxing smartly. Round nine!Copy linkCopiedGiles vs BellottiReferee ticks Bellotti off for using his hand to push down on Giles’ head when they’re up close and trading, there’s plenty of holding and jostling for centre ring before the champion circles landing scoring combinations – more purposeful than powerful – as best he can. Into round seven they go!I can spot from the corner of my eye, British heavyweight champion Fabio Wardley and former world title challenger Dereck Chisora have both made their way ringside.Copy linkCopiedGiles vs BellottiBellotti landing the better work through four rounds, evidenced by consistent body punching forcing the challenger to hunch over and bite on a flurry of feints with that tight defensive guard being picked apart now.I can hear conversations about everything besides this fight, from Richard Riakporhe’s shortcomings to what Dillian Whyte must be thinking ringside. He turned up four (!) hours early before his charge takes on the villain role in tonight’s headliner.Copy linkCopiedGiles vs BellottiMidway through the third round now and although Bellotti’s pressure has been working early, Giles landed a series of unanswered punches at the bell to finish a competitive second and he’s not short of vocal support here either.Fight between these two super-featherweights hasn’t really intensified just yet, given the raucous atmosphere preceding it…Copy linkCopiedChief support timeLevi Giles challenges champion Reece Bellotti for the British and Commonwealth super-featherweight titles over 12 rounds… a lot of people are on their feet for the walkouts, am I missing something?Suddenly there’s a big fight feel in the air.Copy linkCopiedButtigieg winsHe gamely beckoned the visitor forward to exchange in the final seconds, but Emmanuel Buttigieg ultimately didn’t get the finish against a resolute Jiri Hauke.60-54 the scorecard from Mark Bates, as the 19-year-old improves to 5-0 after another good learning fight under his belt.Copy linkCopiedFisher warming upA loud roar reverberates around the Copper Box between rounds as one-half of the main event, the man we’re all here to see in Johnny Fisher, is shown backstage playfully practicing uppercuts as he gets his hands wrapped. Little over an hour away, or thereabouts, now.Copy linkCopiedCopper Box latestI wish you could see this visual for yourself, but I’ll try and describe it: there’s a fan very close to ringside almost throwing punches with Buttigieg and simultaneously barking instructions as security looks bemused.The Newham prospect is stalking Hauke now but the punishing onslaught continues — a right wobbled him in the third, then uppercuts and straight shots followed in round fourCopy linkCopiedButtigieg vs Hauke latestRight now, we’re midway through round two as fan favourite Emmanuel Buttigieg looks to chain together attacks and finish the job against eight-fight Czech Republic pro Jiri Hauke. I’ll let you know how the light-middleweight gets on, fans whooping with every punch landed so far and he’s certainly enjoying himself.Copy linkCopiedVisioli goes the distanceMore urgency was needed for Aldershot’s Giorgio Visioli to get the knockout he craved over six rounds against Tampele Maharusi, winning 60-54 after going the distance for the first time.England vs. Switzerland was deep into extra-time when the super-featherweight prospect buzzed about the ring, so you could excuse fans for having their eye on the big screen…Copy linkCopiedFight night resultsBarnet teenage heavyweight Lewie Pochetty improved to 3-0 and banked a valuable four rounds (40-36) against the stubborn eight-year pro Amine Boucetta with his third pro fight in six weeks during the night’s opener. While Jimmy Sains’ 100% stoppage streak continues at 160lbs after overwhelming Damien Lacoudray to finish a fiery fifth round before referee Mark Bates waved it off.Copy linkCopiedCopper Box latestIf you missed anything earlier on… there has already been an upset elsewhere tonight.Jasmina Zapotoczna boxed brilliantly and didn’t waver in the face of relentless pressure to score an upset win over the previously-unbeaten Maisey Rose Courtney for the WBA International flyweight title.98-92, 97-93, 96-94 read the three judges’ scorecards after ten rounds, with super-middleweight talent Callum Simpson in the 30-year-old’s corner a month before his big title shot.Copy linkCopiedJohn Hedges winsJohn Hedges wins the vacant Southern Area cruiserweight strap with a unanimous technical decision. Not the way he would’ve liked, but after an awkward delay, the 22-year-old Essex youngster can celebrate his first title as a pro.Scores: 59-56, 59-56, 58-57Credit: GettyCopy linkCopiedLatest from the Copper BoxWe’re still roughly around two hours, three fights away from the main event right now – an intriguing ten-round contest is underway for the vacant Southern Area cruiserweight title between John Hedges and Lewis Oakford.But now that fight’s just been stopped, early in the sixth, after an accidental – but nonetheless nasty – clash of heads with Oakford cut badly above his left eye. Almost like Sunny Edwards last weekend..Copy linkCopied More
