‘Bosh!’ will be the battle cry as ‘The Romford Bull’ Johnny Fisher (11-0) seeks to increase his resume with the beaten body of the marauding Alen ‘The Savage’ Babic (12-1) at the Copper Box (or, as fans are calling it, the Copper Bosh) on July 6th.
The bout, streaming on DAZN, is the next in Matchroom’s line of NxtGen cards, which seek to give growing and emerging talent their own platform to shine under the bright lights. However, both Fisher and Babic are not unfamiliar to fans, as they are both known for their heavy-hitting style and unending pressure.
Many predict that the bout will refuse to go past two rounds, with the BBBofC Southern Area Heavyweight champion Fisher known for his destructive hands, whilst Babic is known for cutting people down with raw, unfiltered pressure alone.
Currently, ‘Dirty Harry’ Armstrong (6-2-1) is the only recognisable name of Fisher’s record, although he has already endeared himself to fight fans through his social media presence. A win over fan-favourite Babic would be the perfect addition to his scrappy CV.
Babic, meanwhile, is on the bounce-back since a first round loss at the hands of another fighter who shuns technique; Lukasz Rozanski (15-1). With a sixth round TKO over gimmick fighter Steve ‘Drago’ Robinson (6-3) on the Wardley-Clarke undercard, Babic is ready to take on all opponents – even one with as ferocious of a fanbase as Fisher.
The undercard also features some wonderful British talent, such as BBBofC British and Commonwealth Boxing Council Super-Featherweight champion Reece Bellotti (18-5), another fighter who has become a fan-favourite due to his many brushes with adversity; yet, always bringing his best.
Since losing three in a row to Francesco Grandelli (18-3-2), Jordan Gill (28-3-1) and Raymond Ford (15-1-1), Bellotti has been on a rather successful rebuild, not losing the four fights since the Ford loss and earning all regional titles in his path.
This time, however, he will be on the defence against Grimsby boy Levi Giles (15-1), who will be taking his second step-up after a failed bid for the BBBofC English Super-Featherweight title against Michael Gomez Jr. (21-1) in March of 2023.
Giles has a relatively low KO ratio and much prefers to outbox his opponents; although, ultimately, experience might be the deciding factor here, particularly with the Bellotti of recent.
A BBBofC Southern Area title is on the line in the cruiserweight division with ‘The Gentleman’ John Hedges (9-0) and Buckinghamshire’s Lewis Oakford (5-0) both taking their first step-up in competition. This, much like the main event, will likely be a barn-burner, although one that is likely to go the distance. If the main event is carnage, this is a sneak-peek prelude.
In the women’s ranks, rising Matchroom star Maisey Rose Courtney (6-0) prepares for her first title of many; the WBA International Flyweight title, being contested against Yorkshire-based Pole Jasmina Zapotoczna (7-1).
Eddie Hearn seems keen to push Courtney as a force in the flyweight division, which is looking pretty scarce in comparison to many other female weight divisions. With an emphatic win here, Courtney certainly will not have to wait long for a big push from Hearn.
Ultimately, this could pan out to be one of the best NxtGen cards Matchroom has produced thus far; it has all the makings of a chaotic night of boxing in the capital.
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