FISHER RETURNS TO THE COPPER BOSH IN HIGHLY ANTICIPATED REMATCH

When there’s high demand for a rematch in boxing, it usually means that the first fight was close or controversial. In this case, it’s both, as Johnny Fisher looks to make it back-to-back victories over Dave Allen — but this time in much more convincing style.

Heading into the first fight at the end of last year, Fisher was the heavy favourite — and understandably so, considering he was on a seven-fight stoppage streak, with four of those coming in the first round.

Allen, meanwhile, had been fairly inactive, having fought twice in two years, with those two fights coming against journeymen as he looked to rekindle his love for the sport.

The general consensus before the fight was that if Allen could take it into the second half, he’d have a real chance — and that’s very much how the fight went.

Fisher started fast, as he always does, and loaded up with pretty much every punch as he looked to make Allen victim number 13.

However, using all of his experience, Allen tucked up well and toughed his way through the storm until the fifth round, where he shocked Fisher by sending him crashing to the canvas.

To Fisher’s credit, he recovered well, but Allen seemed like the one in control for the rest of the fight — albeit with a couple of closer rounds during the final stretch when Fisher got his senses back.

Two judges gave it 6-4 to Fisher, with one judge scoring it 6-4 to Allen — resulting in the undefeated prospect Fisher coming out on top and claiming his 13th win as a professional.

The result was controversial, with many believing that Allen had done enough to win, with the knockdown being the deciding factor.

Either way, it wasn’t to be for the White Rhino — but he now finds himself preparing for this rematch with plenty of notice and the bit between his teeth, eager to prove that this fight has once again come a little too soon for the Romford Bull from Essex.

So, where will the rematch be won and lost?

For starters, both fighters are going to be much better than they were in the first fight. That’s almost a given.

If Fisher is going to extend his unbeaten record as a professional, he needs to use every ounce of experience he gained from that first fight.

Due to the manner in which he obliterated pretty much every one of his previous 12 opponents, he was probably naïve enough to fall in love with his power a little — which is understandable, considering every opponent he’s landed clean on, he’s hurt badly.

That wasn’t the case with Allen — and it was never going to be the case, considering how tough and durable he is.

Fisher needs to be clever. He’s got the size advantage and he’s got the range advantage. He needs to use that, instead of blowing himself out in the early rounds looking for the knockout and then getting dragged into a dogfight in the latter rounds because he hasn’t got the legs to box at range.

Being the fighter that he is, Dave Allen will, a majority of the time, be on the front foot, bringing the fight to you. Fisher needs to use that to his advantage. When Allen comes in low and looks for that trademark looping right hand, Fisher should take a half step back, make him fall in with the shot, and load up on that powerful right uppercut — using it as a deterrent to take Allen off his game plan.

If Fisher really wants to win this fight, then he will — but he can’t get carried away and he’s got to fight to instruction. The concern is, though, if he gets dragged into a dogfight like he did in the first fight — which is extremely easy to do against Dave Allen — he’s going to make it another tough night at the office.

For Allen, it’s simple: mental and physical warfare.

Fisher is inevitably going to be a lot more patient, which means Allen needs to be the one to upset his rhythm, force the pace and ultimately drag him into the dogfight — but a lot earlier this time around.

He can’t be predictable and go looking for that looping right hand every time. He needs to jab to the chest and lower that impeccable posture that Fisher has, to bring that chin into a more comfortable punching range.

The big advantage Allen has is that he knows he can hurt Fisher — that in itself is a massive plus for him mentally.

He knows that as long as he’s still standing, he can send his opponent to the canvas. That’s something Fisher might believe he can do to Allen — but he has no proof of it, whereas Allen does.

Both fighters’ conditioning proved to be solid in the first fight, but with both having more notice this time around, we could be in for a really special bout.

One thing is for certain though: do not blink.

Now to the undercard, where we have an Area Title, an English Title, a British Title and a Commonwealth Title all up for grabs.

In the chief support, the vacant British Middleweight Title is on the line as Kieron Conway looks to become British champion at the second time of asking when he clashes with the 15-1-2 Gerome Warburton.

Jimmy Sains faces the toughest test of his career when he takes on Gideon Onyenani for the vacant Southern Area Middleweight Title, whilst Sains’s pal and gym-mate George Liddard looks to book himself a potential shot at the winner of Conway vs Warburton when he takes to the ring against the 19-1 Bristolian, Aaron Sutton.

John Hedges goes toe-to-toe with Nathan Quarless for the English Cruiserweight Title, whilst rising stars Shannon Ryan, Taylor Bevan and Emmanuel Buttigieg all continue their rise to the top.

A solid domestic card — which will undoubtedly produce some big headlines and big finishes.