Johnny Fisher overwhelmed by Lennox Lewis and Tyson Fury support for pro debut
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There are only 10 fights and nine first-round knockouts on his amateur CV but, as he prepares to take the first step of his professional journey this weekend, British heavyweight prospect Johnny Fisher already has an army of fans and high-profile well-wishers in his corner.
Fisher, aka The Romford Bull, is all set to make his long-awaited debut against Matt Gordon, 36, on the undercard of David Avanesyan and Josh Kelly's European-title humdinger at Wembley Arena this Saturday.
The 21-year-old is entering the professional ranks under the esteemed tutelage of Mark Tibbs, son of legendary trainer Jimmy, and with the outspoken Sam Jones, manager to imminent world heavyweight title challenger Joe Joyce, carefully navigating his path to glory.
Though if that isn't enough, Fisher also has British heavyweight icons both past and present rooting for him on Saturday night, along with a selection of friends he describes as "Essex celebrities".
"I've got a lot of support," he says.
"I've had Tyson Fury sending me a good luck message, Lennox Lewis has been messaging me, then I've got loads of Essex celebrities like my mate Tom Skinner (The Apprentice) and Terry Stone (film producer). So now I've got repay this faith on Saturday night.
"Lennox followed me on Twitter and I messaged him a few months back. I just said thanks for the follow, you're my boxing idol, and he messaged me back.
"Then the other day out of the blue he messaged me on Instagram saying, 'The more you prepare the less you'll worry'. So that was a nice bit of advice from him.
"He's the best boxer-puncher there's ever been, so if I can even replicate 20 or 30 per cent of what he's done I'll be on my way to a great career."
Fisher's boxing story began when he first walked into the Ongar Amateur Boxing Club at the age of five, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, who both fought at a relatively obscure level in boxing and wrestling.
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However, his ascent to the professional scene only started to gather pace around 15 years later when, during the second year of a degree in History at Exeter University, he received a life-changing invitation to spar with Joyce out in Las Vegas.
The 6ft 5in powerhouse had already reached out to Jones on Instagram to secure some dream sparring with the Juggernaut, who clinched a silver medal at the 2016 Olympic Games, and he admits to being "very, very raw" in their early sessions together.
Then came the offer to jet out to Sin City and join him in camp ahead of his career-defining showdown with Daniel Dubois early in 2020. It was simply too good an offer to turn down, even if it meant sacrificing a first in the History degree.
"It was difficult because I met Sam in my second year, and with university it all comes together in your third year," he says.
"So it was really good when I was building up, building up and doing a few spars with Sam and Joe in April 2019 (second year).
"Then in my third year I got asked to go out to Vegas. That was unbelievable.
"I couldn't not take the opportunity. I had to do the last few bits of my dissertations and assessments whilst I was out in Vegas.
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"I hadn't finished it and it was the peak time, but I thought I've got to take this opportunity.
"I was on track for a first as well. They said I'll end up with a 2:1 but that gives you access to everything that you need. So I took the opportunity with both hands."
After holding his own in sessions with Joyce and showing clear signs of promise, Fisher was soon offered the chance to join Jones' growing stable of fighters and begin mapping out his own professional adventure.
The youngster's amateur days were short and sweet. Three of his explosive victories came inside 30 seconds and another six were earned inside the first round, a glaring indicator of the strength he possesses in both hands.
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It is clear he packs a serious punch, but can the new kid on the block make it count in the big leagues?
"I know I've got power and strength in that I can take it to someone," Fisher says.
"But the one thing I've developed over the last six months through Mark Tibbs and sparring with Joe is using my boxing skills.
"I've got a great jab, I can use my boxing skills. And if I stay calm in that ring on Saturday night, I'll show that I'm a great boxer as well.
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"If I see my chance, I will not hesitate. But I'm not gonna rush in with my chin up and my hands down, it's gonna come from behind the jab and from that I'll break him down systematically."
With barely an hour's worth of amateur trade-plying behind him, Fisher is now aiming to burst onto the professional scene in similarly destructive fashion.
As I sit down with him a day out from the fight with Gordon inside Matchroom's fight bubble, the Romford Bull is full of praise for the opportunity bestowed on him by Jones, who listens on next to us before interjecting.
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"I've had butterflies all week. When I went to the weigh-in, the butterflies were huge," he admits.
"But I think that shows I care, that shows I'm ready. And I couldn't be more ready. I've been training since August, so I'm ready to go.
"And it's all because of this man, Sam Jones, who gave me the opportunity. Without Sam Jones answering my DM on Instagram, this wouldn't be happening."
Jones then says: "It's nothing to do with me. Listen, you can be the best manager in the world, but if your product's no good, you're no good.
"He can go all the way, 100 per cent. I wouldn't put him in this situation if I didn't think that.
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"One fight at a time. We are supremely confident of the win on Saturday night. I think he's just got to get this one out of the way, this is kind of getting the monkey off your back. We just want him to enjoy his debut.
"Matt Gordon looks in good shape, but there's nothing he can bring that he won't deal with on Saturday night.
"We're very, very confident that he'll go through him like a f****** rhino through a wall."
- Tyson Fury
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