Alen Babic Expecting The Referee To Rescue Johnny Fisher When They Clash On July 6

Alen Babic believes he will be the underdog against 25-year-old Johnny Fisher when they collide on July 6 at London’s Copper Box Arena in a heavyweight 10-rounder. The declaration – drawn largely from the fact that huge ticket-seller Fisher will enjoy the support from the crowd – was merely lip service at today’s press conference, however.

Babic, 12-1 (11), is on the comeback trail at the age of 33 after being knocked out in one round 14 months ago by Lukasz Rozanski in a bid for the WBC bridgerweight title. He has since defeated Steve Robinson, stopping him in six rounds.

Furthermore, he is Fisher’s sternest test by some distance.

“Listen, Johnny Fisher is a great fighter but he’s a young fighter,” Babic said. “I had 100 amateur fights and most of them [his opponents] were better than me and him both. I’ve had 12 pro fights and I was tested so many times.

“I am at least five years into this testing. This fight is a present from God for me, he hasn’t been tested yet. I have been fighting big punchers since he was 10 years old.

“It’s amazing and I know it’s going to be hostile. I know I will be the underdog in this fight but f*** them. I will win this fight.”

Victory is clearly what Babic and his team are expecting. When promoter Eddie Hearn put this fight forward, they didn’t think twice about accepting.

“I didn’t ask about the money I just said yes.” Babic revealed. “But it’s the perfect fight for Johnny, also. It’s a test and it’s a chance. But I know how to drown a guy.”

Fisher, too, exuded confidence. The heavy-handed “Romford Bull” has built an incredible following during his three years in the professional code yet there has always been doubts about how far he can realistically go.

“If you’re in the sport of boxing and you care too much about what people say, you’re in the wrong sport,” Fisher said about those doubts. “People will always criticise but I have the faith in myself.

“I’m very excited. There’s lots of people coming [to watch the fight] but that means nothing to me and Alen, we’re going to get in there and have a tear-up. That’s where I want it to be as well. If it goes to the trenches, I have the mentality to win.”

Fisher has largely faced hand-picked opposition but last August he halted Harry Armstong to win the Southern Area title and, in February, the 10-1 Dmytro Bezus was stopped inside three minutes.

“Every fight the intensity goes up,” Fisher went on. “It’s going to be bouncing in the ‘Copper Bosch’.

“What you need to understand is it’s not about me having to fight Alen Babic, it’s about him having to fight Johnny Fisher. The respect is there between us but nothing else matters but Alen Babic. My whole life is now about beating Alen Babic. The win is all that matters.

“After the fight I’m a humble man, I’m a gentleman, I will shake his hands afterwards.”

Babic then signed off with his own prediction.

“I always talk about the knockouts, but I expect something else this time. I expect the [referee] to step in and save him. No father should see their son knocked out.”