Romford heavyweight Fisher ready for step up says Hearn

Eddie Hearn says Johnny Fisher is ready to make the step up to 10-round bouts after successfully passing his apprenticeship at Wembley’s OVO Arena.

The 24-year-old Romford heavyweight made it nine wins on the trot after easily stopping Puerto Rico’s Emilio Sàlas in just 127 seconds in a scheduled eight-rounder.

Southpaw Salas offered very little resistance as he was sent down with a weaving left hook andeventually counted out by referee Bob Williams.

The OVO Arena seems to be the place where Fisher performs quickly, with all three of his appearances there since turning professional in February 2021 lasting one round.

Saturday’s victory was his second quickest – just four seconds slower than when he dispatched Czech Republic’s Dominik Musil in 2:03 last October.

“A good performance from myself in terms of getting him (Sàlas) out there in one round,” said Fisher who is trained by the respectable son-father duo of Mark and Jimmy Tibbs at Origin Gym, Rainham.

“I felt relaxed in myself and it’s all about my own personal development and my journey. That’s the first time I’ve been in there and felt relaxed and it’s all testament to Mark and Jimmy Tibbs and we keep rolling on.”

Fisher, whose younger brother Harry is a footballer with Essex Senior League side Ilford, knew Sàlas wanted no more from the moment he threw that winning knockout shot.

“I can feel his legs wobble a little bit,” he added. “We’ve been working on a little bit of patience. I didn’t try to rough him up and finish him off there, I was trying to look for a clean finish but caught him with another left hook after that and he just deteriorated and deteriorated, it was too much for him.

“Patience has been a big thing for us. We wanted a few more rounds to showcase that, but I’m very, very blessed to have the power I have to get someone out there quickly. I’m never going to begrudge myself that because that can get me out of trouble when I need it.”

Matchroom Boxing chief Hearn believes now is the time for Fisher to take his boxing education to the next level and compete for titles.

And he hinted his next bout could be for the vacant Southern Area heavyweight title, last contested when Daniel Dubois made a successful defence against DL Jones in three rounds at York Hall in February 2018.

“It’s time to rush a little bit,” said Hearn. “I think he’s done his apprenticeship now.

“I also want to thank the unbelievable fans that came out for his first nine fights because they have come along for the apprenticeship as well and sometimes every fan wants to see him step up and in big fights, but we have to give him a chance to find those levels and to have that education.

“He’s had that now and the great news is everybody that supported him is about to get really serious and about to get really exciting. We’re going to step him up to 10 rounds. I see him fighting for the championships next. I’d love him to go through the traditional route – Southern Area championship, English title, British title. But now it’s going to get serious.

“He’s too big and strong for those guys. As soon as Sàlas felt it to the body and shoulder he didn’t want to know and for the camp and work he’s putting in it’s time to test him in the ring as well.

“He’s got all the ability to do it now, he’s had all the experience on the big nights. I think 10 rounds next and it’s going to get really exciting.”