FAN-FRIENDLY heavyweight Johnny Fisher could earn himself a British title shot if he gets past battle-hardened operator Dave Allen this Saturday.
The pair will square off at the Copper Box Arena, London, after Fisher, 13-0 (11 KOs), emerged from their first encounter with a highly contentious split decision victory.
Despite securing a fifth-round knockdown – before dominating through large spells down the stretch – Allen, 23-7-2 (18 KOs), was ultimately left feeling aggrieved by two of the scorecards that appeared last December.
Both combatants now have the chance to settle their score, though, with Fisher looking to remove any doubt over his credentials on the domestic scene.
And yet, should he overcome what promises to be another stern test, it would seem that the challenges lying ahead are unlikely to get any easier for ‘The Romford Bull.’
With David Adeleye and Jeamie TKV expected to rematch later this year, the winner has been highlighted by Matchroom CEO Frank Smith as a ‘sensible’ opponent for Fisher.
Their controversial fight last month saw Adeleye, 14-1 (13 KOs), claim the vacant British title with a sixth-round stoppage victory, a result that was widely scrutinised soon after.
As it happened, the 28-year-old landed a sharp left hook while pulling out of the clinch – moments after the referee called ‘break’ – which left TKV, 8-2 (5 KOs), unable to continue.
Olympic bronze medallist Frazer Clarke, meanwhile, has also expressed his interest in facing Fisher, though the Boxxer-promoted fighter seemingly remains a less likely option.
For Frank Smith, a British title shot represents the obvious next step in Fisher’s career, and, if Adeleye wins, a more consistent working relationship between Matchroom and Queensberry should smooth the process.
“I think, right now, the winner of [Adeleye-TKV 2] is probably the most sensible fight after this one [against Allen],” Smith told Boxing News.
“[Fisher’s] got to come through Saturday night – it’s going to be a real test – but I believe that he will [win].
“Frazer’s been in with Fabio [Wardley] at a higher level, you would have to say, so I think the winner of [Adeleye-TKV 2] is probably the right fight in terms of next steps.”
