Johnny Fisher knocks out Michael Pirotton in tenth round at Zuffa Boxing 11.

Johnny Fisher stopped Michael Pirotton in the tenth round of the Zuffa Boxing 11 card on Saturday night in Manchester, earning a hard‑won unanimous decision after a bruising, back‑and‑forth battle. The 28‑year‑old British heavyweight, who entered the ring with a 10‑0 record, finally found the knockout punch that had eluded him all night and forced the referee to step in as Pirotton’s shoulders hit the canvas for the second time.

The fight mattered because it was Fisher’s first test against a seasoned professional after a stellar amateur career that included a bronze medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Since turning pro in 2023, Fisher has built a reputation for his work ethic and powerful jab, but critics warned he needed to prove he could handle a veteran’s experience. Pirotton, a 35‑year‑old who has fought on the undercard of several UK title bouts, brought a gritty style and a record of 18 wins, 4 losses. The matchup was billed as a make‑or‑break moment for the rising star, and the fight lived up to the hype, with both men trading heavy blows and the crowd on its feet for most of the night.

In the early rounds Fisher used his reach to keep Pirotton at bay, landing clean jabs that scored points but did not hurt the older fighter. By the fifth round Pirotton began to press, slipping inside and landing body shots that slowed Fisher’s rhythm. The turning point came in the ninth when Fisher landed a left hook that snapped Pirotton’s head back, setting up the decisive finish in the tenth. After the stoppage, Fisher’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, praised his “heart and hunger,” while Pirotton’s camp admitted the younger man had earned his place among the heavyweight’s next‑tier contenders.

The victory moves Fisher into the top ten of the British heavyweight rankings and puts him in line for a regional title bout later this year. A potential clash with Commonwealth champion Daniel Dubois is already being discussed, and the win also raises Fisher’s profile ahead of a possible appearance on a major streaming platform’s fight night. If he stays healthy, the next six months could see him jump from promising prospect to legitimate title challenger.