Imagine being on the brink of defeat, only to rise like a phoenix and claim victory in the most dramatic fashion. That’s exactly what Johnny Fisher did in Monte Carlo, surviving an early scare that left fans on the edge of their seats before stopping Ivan Balaz in a thrilling bout. But here’s where it gets controversial—despite Fisher hitting the canvas after a flurry of hooks, the referee bizarrely didn’t signal a knockdown. Was it a missed call, or did Fisher’s quick recovery justify the decision? Let’s dive in.
The British contender, known as the 'Romford Bull,' found himself in hot water early on when Balaz landed a crunching hook that left him unsteady. A follow-up flurry and a shove sent Fisher tumbling by the ropes, but to everyone’s surprise, no count was issued. This moment highlighted Fisher’s defensive vulnerabilities, which could have spelled disaster if not for his resilience. And this is the part most people miss—Fisher didn’t just survive; he turned the tide, dropping Balaz twice in the fourth round before the referee waved it off. A right hand sent Balaz to his knees, and a second big right sealed the deal, forcing the referee to end the bout.
Fisher’s win was a much-needed revival after his rematch defeat to British rival David Allen. But the question lingers: can he shore up his defense to avoid future scares? Or will his aggressive style always leave him walking a tightrope?
On the same card, Conah Walker delivered a jaw-dropping knockout in the 12th round of his welterweight fight against Pat McCormack. A ferocious combination sent McCormack crashing through the ropes, leaving the Liverpudlian slumping forward in a stunning finish. Meanwhile, in a major upset, Turkey’s Elif Nur Turhan claimed the IBF lightweight title after flooring Brazil’s Beatriz Ferreira in the first round and stopping her in the fifth. Here’s a thought-provoking question for you—are these upsets a sign of shifting power dynamics in boxing, or just a testament to the unpredictability of the sport?
In other boxing news, Oleksandr Usyk has been permitted to make a voluntary defense of his WBC title against Deontay Wilder, while Hamzah Sheeraz is mandated for a world title shot after Terence Crawford was stripped of his belt. Conor Benn is also lined up for potential fights with Ryan Garcia and Shakur Stevenson in 2026. What’s your take? Are these matchups the right moves for these fighters, or are there better opponents out there? Let us know in the comments!
For those who missed the action, you can catch all the drama on Sky Sports or stream it contract-free on NOW. One thing’s for sure—boxing never fails to deliver moments that leave us talking long after the final bell.
