Johnny Fisher believes he has a “good chance” of facing Dillian Whyte

Johnny Fisher believes a high-profile clash with Dillian Whyte could be his next major assignment. The English heavyweight is convinced that victory over Michael Pirotton on Saturday at London’s Copper Box Arena can put him in contention for a leading-name opponent.

Known as the “Romford Bull”, Fisher will face Pirotton live on Sky Sports. While he has been linked with Deontay Wilder, he believes the Whyte route has a “good chance” of becoming reality.

“Why not? He is a great name and it would be an honour,” Fisher said. “He is someone I looked up to while coming through the ranks.” He also praised the nights Whyte has provided, believing such a fight would bring plenty of excitement to his following, the “Romford Bull Army”.

Fisher sees the careers of Wilder and Whyte as a reason to believe those match-ups are possible. “They are big-name fights. They have both had fantastic careers and there is no denying that they are coming towards the end of them,” he explained. “That is probably why a fight with someone like me works now: I have a big profile, but so do they.”

In his view, the appeal for his supporters lies precisely in facing fighters with bigger names, such as Wilder or Whyte. “I genuinely think I have a good chance of getting someone like Dillian Whyte,” he added. The prospect alone of pairing Fisher with either of those heavyweights is already enough to generate headlines.

On Wilder, however, Fisher stressed his restraint. “A lot of people have spoken to me this week about fighting Deontay Wilder. I would never call for that myself: it would be disrespectful to someone at Deontay Wilder’s level,” he said.

He does not dismiss the principle of such an opportunity, though. Fisher pointed to the physical logic of the heavyweight division: “When a 17.5-stone man lands on someone’s chin, he always has a chance. Who am I to turn down an opportunity like that or not speak about it? It is amazing.” Fisher is regarded as a heavy puncher, as is Wilder, the former world champion renowned for his punching power.

Before looking too far ahead, Fisher wants to produce a more polished performance against Pirotton. He has been working towards that with his new trainer, Tony Sims. “I am an aggressive heavyweight who comes forward and throws combinations: that is first and foremost who I am,” he stressed.

Fisher believes he can add to that approach through Sims’ teaching without abandoning his identity. His trainer tells him, he says, not to lose his natural nature as an aggressive, come-forward fighter, but to add elements to it. Against Pirotton, he also intends to make good use of his physical and explosive qualities.

Johnny Fisher vs Michael Pirotton will be shown live on Sky Sports on Saturday.