Romford’s Johnny Fisher honoured to be on Anthony Joshua bill

Romford heavyweight Johnny Fisher admits it will be an ‘honour’ to fight on the same card as Anthony Joshua at the O2 Arena on Saturday.

Fisher has the chance to land his first belt when he faces off against Torquay’s Harry Armstrong for the vacant Southern Arena title.

And the former Marshalls Park pupil was relieved to see two-time former unified world champion Joshua line up Robert Helenius when original opponent Dillian Whyte failed a voluntary drug test.

“I’m just glad, privileged and honoured to be on such a big show,” Fisher told IFLTV.com.

“I’m really, really excited. I’ve put in a lot of hard work, it’s great that Joshua is still on the card, he has been like a beacon for British boxing.

“It’s testament to his character that he didn’t just turn away and say let’s push it back a few more weeks or we’ll fight in a couple of months time.

“He could’ve waited for the [Deontay] Wilder shot that is being talked about, but he wants to get in there and have a fight and we’ve got to be very grateful for him because he’s let all of us fighters get paid and be able to box as well.”

Fisher has won all nine of his professional fights to date, eight by knockout, in front of a large and loyal following.

And he admits it will be different to not be the main focus of attention this weekend.

“Before I fought in front of crowds and it’s all for me,” he added.

“Now I’m going to be lower down the card, I’m not going to have everyone in there for me.

“I only got 500 tickets. I know there’s more people bought through the link, there will be a couple of thousand in there still, but it’s not all about me, it’s about Joshua.

“And what an honour that is to say I’m boxing on the same card as Joshua. It’s brilliant.”

The 24-year-old Fisher – known as the ‘Romford Bull’ – says it will be fantastic to land his first title, but is not getting carried away.

“I don’t think about it too much, I know I’ve just got to do the job,” he said.

“Harry Armstrong is a big tough guy. It’s going to be a good test, but he’s never fought anyone like me, that’s for sure, no one as powerful.

“Once that lands on his chin, it could be a different story. It would be fantastic.”

The ultra confident Fisher revealed he would have stepped in to fight Joshua himself if asked, but was not willing to make such thoughts public.

“I would have 100 per cent got in there and I was debating whether to say I will do it online but I thought that’s a bit disrespectful to AJ, who is up there at the top and it might look a bit brash from me, a bit arrogant,” he added.

“But if Eddie [Hearn] gave me a call, or Frank, and said ‘Johnny, will you be able to do it?’ – 110 per cent.

“I don’t think it should’ve come from me to put it out there on social media. Would that pull in pay-per-view numbers? Probably not.

“I was 110 per cent ready. No one in their right mind surely would say no if they get offered that. No one. A nice pay day and the chance at glory, which is the main thing.”

Bigger fights will surely come in Fisher’s future, but he knows his fanbase will enjoy this next step of his career.

“The Romford Bull Army and Elite Bosh Soldiers have all got their tickets and made sure the faithful, the sponsors, the main elite core will be there,” he added.

“The top boys go to the Cafe Royale at 10am, then they start at Robin’s Pie & Mash and then they go to the Duke Box in Romford, right next to the station, go there for a few hours. 

“They’re not going to mess about and go Stratford, Liverpool Street, they’re going to go straight here to All Bar One, get on it and they’ll be steaming by the time I fight. The way they like it.”