In December of last year undefeated rising Heavyweight contender Johnny Fisher was given an opportunity that represented a step up in his career. Not only was the unbeaten “Knockout Artist" given a position on a major card headlined by the World Heavyweight championship rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, but the fight represented what was seen as a step up in competition for him in the form of longtime veteran Dave Allen.
For most of the early rounds, it appeared as though Fisher would pass this test with flying colors in picking up the World Boxing Association’s Intercontinental Heavyweight title, which while not a major milestone, carries with it the chance to move into the top ten rankings in a given division. As Fisher set a high pace and kept Allen mostly on the defensive, it had the appearance of a fight that was heading towards either a wide decision victory on the scorecards or potentially a late stoppage for a fighter in Fisher, who had knocked out eleven of his previous twelve opponents prior to this bout, then suddenly as tends to be the case in combat sports, just when it appears a fighter is dominating the action, a real test emerges.
In this case, it would come in the fifth round when Allen connected with a flush left hook to the jaw that sent Fisher down to the canvas for the first time in his career. Often, it is a situation that many look to when observing the rise of a rising prospect where they want to see how the fighter deals with adversity. Fisher got up from the knockdown and appeared legitimately hurt, but managed to gradually find his footing and begin returning offense. While the first four rounds saw Fisher build a decent lead for himself on the scorecards, from the point where the knockdown occurred through the remainder of the twelve round bout proved to be a grueling back and forth battle where Fisher was able to edge out a split decision victory.
Although some may have expected the outcome of a win for Fisher going into the fight, the perception of at least some coming out of it was either that Allen had done enough to win the fight or at minimum, the scoring was too close for comfort for a contender on the rise in Fisher. Ideal circumstances to warrant a rematch.
A rematch that will take place on Saturday, May 17th at the Copper Box Arena in London England, which can be seen globally on digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN. This should be viewed as a good thing for the sport because in all truth and honesty with the reader, return bouts like this do not always happen. It can after all be common to see a prospect after surviving a close call like the one Fisher had against Allen, to see the fighter’s handlers move the fighter in a different direction, not so much due to fear of the opponent, but to give their fighter time to rethink and try to figure out what adjustments need to be made moving forward.
As refreshing as it is to see a veteran like Dave Allen, who was regarded as little more than an opponent when he fought Fisher, being given another chance without much time in between fights, there is also a risk attached for Fisher. Despite coming out on the losing end in their first encounter, Allen should have all the confidence in the world going into this rematch. He not only dropped a fighter who has built a reputation early in his career for scoring quick knockouts, but the result of it being a close split decision against him should provide the necessary motivation to come into the ring even more determined.
The risk here for Fisher beyond giving his opponent another chance and the obvious risk of his unbeaten record is the potential for the wrong type of exposure. This observer is reminded of another Heavyweight that had a similar rise as Fisher in the professional ranks, who I covered on that rise several years ago. I am referring to David Price, the 2008 Olympian, who turned pro in 2009 and carved out a reputation as a “Knockout Artist" similar to the one that Fisher has established for himself.
After knocking out thirteen of his first fifteen opponents, the decision was made to match Price with a recent world title challenger in the form of longtime top contender Tony Thompson in an obvious strategy to catapult him towards a potential world title shot. The strategy proved to be disastrous. When the two met in February 2013, Thompson's experience proved to be too much for Price. A right hand to the temple sent Price down in the second round and almost in an instant, Price went from a fast-rising contender looking like a potential World Heavyweight champion, to a question mark as he was stopped by Thompson.
In a questionable move given that the knockout he suffered seemed severe, Price made the decision to rematch with Thompson in his very next fight only five months later. Despite dropping Thompson in the second round of the rematch, the result was the same, this time Thompson stopped Price in five rounds. Two fights ended up exposing Price’s vulnerability in a case where it was too much too soon and he was never the same fighter after that retiring in 2019 with a 25-7, with 20 Knockouts record. Though Price would show a lot of heart in fights he lost, he was unable to fulfill the potential and star quality that he appeared to have that had this observer touting him as a potential world champion for a period of time.
Although there is no similarity between Johnny Fisher and David Price at this point beyond the label of “Knockout Artist" in similar rises to the point where Fisher finds himself at this stage in his career, the possibility of Dave Allen potentially being able to improve on his performance last December and take advantage of any perceived flaws is very real and should not be dismissed. How does Fisher improve on his performance and remove a potential question mark that some may have placed before him?
When he was able to keep Allen at distance with his longer reach, Fisher was dominating the action where Allen could not get his punches off consistently and only had sporadic success in throwing wide, looping hooks. It was only when Allen was able to close that distance and get in close that the tempo of the combat began to change.Fisher was also caught and dropped while the fight was being fought in close because he left himself open for the left hook.
While it is easier said than done, Fisher needs to have a disciplined Boxing approach here. This means look to keep Allen at the end of his punches and mix his offense to the body as well as the head, a strategy that worked well for him in the early rounds of the first fight. The key here will be whether he will be able to maintain that approach, if he implements it, if he has success including possibly knocking Allen down. Fisher must not be overly aggressive even if he finds success and might have an opportunity to stop Allen. The possibility of leaving himself open while attempting to finish an opponent definitely exists here so he needs to proceed with caution should it get to that point because it has already been established that Allen does have the punching power to drop him.
If Allen manages to close the distance, Fisher should hold on the inside and not give Allen an opening to potentially catch him as he was able to do in the first fight. If he has trouble keeping his hands up or bringing his hands back up after throwing punches on the inside, a problem some fighters have that can only be corrected in the gym, Fisher will need to tie him up on the inside and force the referee to separate them to re-establish distance. Often such an approach may not be the most entertaining to watch, but it is effective when executed properly.
For Dave Allen, a veteran of thirty-two professional fights, he needs to find a way to get inside of Fisher’s longer arms and force the fight on the inside. He must tighten his punches and try to avoid throwing wide looping punches, particularly with hooks. Allen must find a way to get inside and avoid taking the type of punishment he had taken in the early rounds when Fisher was able to keep him on the end of his punches and land to the body and head. Attempting to utilize a jab as he comes forward and using head and upper body movement to try and deflect or at least minimize Fisher’s punches could be an effective approach to get in close.
For Fisher, who is currently rated number thirteen in the WBA Heavyweight ratings, should he win this fight, he could be in a position to try to break into the top ten later this year. If Allen can get the win some feel free deserved in the first fight, this time around, it will obviously put him into a similar position as Fisher currently finds himself in. A high stakes confrontation in the Heavyweight division. We will see who will be able to take the next step forward in their careers.
“And That's The Boxing Truth."
Fisher vs. Allen 2 takes place on Saturday, May 17th at Copper Box Arena in London, England. The fight as well as it's full undercard can be seen globally on digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN beginning at 11:45 AM ET/8:45AM PT with Before the Bell, which will feature preliminary bouts, which will be followed by the main card that will begin at 2PM ET/11AM PT. (*U.S. Times Only.*)
(*Card and Start Times Subject to Change.*)
For more information about DAZN including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices, platforms, Smart TVs, availability around the world, local start times in your area, and to subscribe please visit: www.DAZN.com.
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