As fight night approaches, anticipation is reaching a fever pitch for an action-packed evening of professional boxing, broadcast live on Sky Sports from 7pm. Headlining the card is the heavyweight showdown between the hard-hitting, fiercely supported Johnny Fisher and the resilient, dangerous Belgian contender Michael Pirotton at the Copper Box Arena. Alongside this blockbuster main event, the card features two other compelling and fiercely debated contests: Craig "Spider" Richards taking on Radivoje "Hot Rod" Kalajdzic in a crucial light-heavyweight battle, and Lee Cutler locking horns with Louis Greene in what many are tipping as a potential fight of the night.
Ahead of the opening bell, prominent figures within the boxing world—including reigning and former world champions, rising contenders, and respected managers—have stepped up to share their expert insights, tactical breakdowns, and predictions for each of the three major fights on the bill.
Johnny Fisher vs Michael Pirotton
The main event brings together the undeniable momentum and overwhelming popularity of British heavyweight contender Johnny Fisher against the stern, largely untested threat of Michael Pirotton. Fisher, who has enjoyed explosive support throughout his burgeoning professional career, steps into the ring under the guidance of a new trainer, Tony Sims, aiming to showcase a more refined and tactically astute approach to his trademark aggression.
Former world champion Chris Billam-Smith, who has shared the training ring with Fisher during sparring sessions, offers an encouraging assessment of the heavyweight’s current physical condition and mindset. According to Billam-Smith, Fisher is as fit and strong as ever, and keen observers will be able to spot the strategic alterations implemented under Sims. Assessing the challenger, Billam-Smith notes that Pirotton can prove to be a defensively awkward opponent who likes to keep his distance and fight negatively, but ultimately expresses confidence that Fisher possesses the tools to break through that resistance.
However, fellow former world champion Johnny Nelson strikes a note of caution, warning against the dangers of underestimating a fighter simply because they lack mainstream hype. Nelson points out that boxing history is littered with instances where fans and pundits have been caught off guard by foreign opponents carrying strong pedigree and solid amateur or sparring backgrounds. Pirotton boasts a reputation for having never been stopped or put down in his career, alongside extensive sparring experience with some of the biggest names in the sport. While Nelson voices his hope for a Fisher victory, he admits genuine concern regarding Pirotton’s robust defensive capabilities and traditional European boxing pedigree.
Nelson further analyzes the tactical dynamic of the matchup, suggesting that if Pirotton attempts to hunker down and box defensively, Fisher will be forced to relentlessly hunt him down. In Nelson’s view, the visitor might actually find more success by choosing to fight fire with fire rather than attempting to weather a prolonged storm from the hard-charging Brit.
Heavyweight prospect Da’Mazion Vanhouter echoes the sentiment that the bout will provide a stiff test of Fisher’s credentials, predicting a highly competitive encounter. While Vanhouter stops short of guaranteeing whether the fight will end in a dramatic stoppage or go to the judges’ scorecards, he firmly believes Fisher will ultimately get the job done, albeit through a distinctly challenging path.
Adding his voice to the chorus of support for the home favourite, former British champion Cheavon Clarke emphasizes Fisher’s unwavering preparation and elite conditioning. Knowing the dedication that goes into Fisher’s training camps, Clarke expects the Brit to enter the ring in peak physical shape, fully prepared to roll forward and handle whatever Pirotton brings to the table.
Boxing manager Paul Ready offers a more detailed tactical timeline for the main event, predicting that Fisher will face distinct moments of adversity during the early rounds as Pirotton tries to establish his range. Nevertheless, Ready leans toward a late-fight breakthrough for the Romford Bull, forecasting a stoppage somewhere in the second half of the contest, specifically pointing to the eighth or ninth round as the window where Fisher’s sustained pressure wears down the durable Belgian.
Craig "Spider" Richards vs Radivoje "Hot Rod" Kalajdzic
The chief support and undercard action features an intriguing light-heavyweight clash between Britain’s Craig "Spider" Richards and the formidable Radivoje "Hot Rod" Kalajdzic. Richards, who recently announced his involvement with Zuffa Boxing, enters this fight with aspirations of securing another shot at world-level glory, viewing every upcoming contest as the equivalent of a world title fight given his lingering ambition and hunger.
Chris Billam-Smith, who has logged numerous sparring rounds against Richards over the years, highlights the South Londoner’s understated brilliance. Billam-Smith describes Richards as a technically gifted fighter equipped with an exceptional jab and deceptive timing that often catches opponents unaware. While acknowledging that Kalajdzic brings legitimate punching power and sound boxing skills to the ring, Billam-Smith backs Richards to use his superior ring IQ to secure a victory, most likely on points.
Johnny Nelson supports this assessment, drawing attention to Richards’ past performances at the elite level, most notably his brave and competitive showing against world-beater Dmitry Bivol. Nelson praises Richards for possessing the courage, self-belief, and tactical sophistication necessary to navigate the twilight of his career with maximum ambition. Dismissing the notion that Richards is slowing down, Nelson labels him as a deeply clever and vastly underrated operator who has every chance of out-thinking and out-boxing Kalajdzic.
Providing a counterpoint from the international perspective, heavyweight prospect Da’Mazion Vanhouter suggests that British fans might be in for a surprise. Vanhouter believes that Kalajdzic is poised to deliver arguably the finest performance of his career, warning that the visitor possesses the capabilities to shock the home crowd.
Cheavon Clarke, drawing on his own firsthand experience of sharing the ring with Richards during sparring sessions, underscores the Londoner’s high-level capabilities. Pointing to Richards’ memorable, all-action war with Joshua Buatsi as proof of his resilience and class, Clarke anticipates that Richards will successfully navigate the tactical chess match and potentially force a stoppage.
Manager Paul Ready anticipates a dramatic contest filled with ebbs and flows, asserting that Richards will inevitably have to overcome serious moments of adversity before the final bell sounds. Ready ultimately leans toward a razor-thin verdict, predicting that Richards will edge out a split decision after a gruelling twelve rounds of action.
Lee Cutler vs Louis Greene
Rounding out the featured previewed bouts is the fierce domestic matchup between Lee Cutler and Louis Greene, a fight that has captured the imagination of fighters and pundits alike due to its explosive stylistic ingredients.
Chris Billam-Smith warns that Cutler faces a formidable challenge, noting that Greene’s aggressive, come-forward style guarantees a relentless test of will and stamina. However, Billam-Smith highlights Cutler’s tactical adaptability, pointing out that the Bournemouth fighter is equally comfortable operating on the front foot or fighting off the back foot. According to Billam-Smith, success for Cutler relies entirely on his ability to formulate and strictly adhere to a disciplined game plan against a dangerous opponent.
Johnny Nelson acknowledges the intimidating presence and heavy hands of Louis Greene, describing him as a genuinely scary proposition inside the squared circle. Despite this, Nelson urges fans not to overlook Cutler’s deep experience, toughness, and ability to navigate the turbulent ups and downs of the sport. Predicting an action-packed encounter full of momentum shifts, Nelson casts his vote firmly in favour of Cutler.
Da’Mazion Vanhouter also throws his support behind Cutler, stating an appreciation for the technician’s smooth style and expressing confidence that he has the requisite skills to pull off a hard-fought victory.
Cheavon Clarke goes a step further, nominating the Cutler-Greene clash as a prime candidate for fight of the night. Clarke envisions a fierce battle where neither man is willing to give an inch, predicting that the two warriors will willingly plant their feet in the centre of the ring and slug it out in an ultimate test of toughness. Though he describes the matchup as a definitive 50-50 toss-up, Clarke admits that living in Kent sways his personal allegiance toward backing Louis Greene.
Offering a final tactical prediction for the bout, Paul Ready leans towards a slight upset, forecasting a victory for Louis Greene on points following a brutal, attritional war of attrition that will test both fighters’ conditioning to the absolute limit.
Fans can catch all the drama, tension, and championship aspirations unfold as Johnny Fisher headlines against Michael Pirotton, alongside a stellar supporting cast, live on Sky Sports from 7pm.