Former members of EURFC aren’t just making waves in rugby circles. Alumni Johnny Fisher is tipped for big things in heavyweight boxing. After graduating from Exeter University with a 2:1 in History, he has signed a multi-fight deal with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing, home to the likes of Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte.

Fisher has always been a keen and talented amateur boxer, competing before starting at Exeter University. His association with EURFC began as a result of him breaking his hand before his arrival at university, ruling him out of boxing and leaving him searching for something to keep himself fit in the period he couldn’t hit the pads.

He credits EURFC and rugby as a crucial, albeit unexpected part of his journey to professional sport. ‘It helped me pick up a sense of professionalism and camaraderie,’ says Fisher, before going on to explain that being a part of that environment helped him to ‘channel aggression more positively.’

Fisher played for the Fresh 2s in his first season with EURFC, before progressing into the Fresh 1s. He continued to play rugby alongside boxing once he was able to train and compete again, with the training provided at rugby helping him to ‘never feel overpowered.’

‘It helped me unlock my whole body,’ Fisher explains, highlighting the ability of rugby as a sport and the coaching at EURFC to place an emphasis on building up whole body strength and conditioning, rather than just a specific element.

Fisher maintains that in hindsight, the fact he couldn’t box as he had done all his life was a major positive, with rugby helping him to learn how to ‘channel positive aggression.’
In February, Fisher received a call to spar with 2016 Silver Medallist Joe Joyce in Las Vegas before lockdown delayed the continuation of professional boxing.

Fisher admits that the uncertainty of the initial lockdown and the inability for amateur boxing to continue played a massive role in the timing of him turning professional.
Trained by Dillian Whyte’s former trainer Mark Tibbs, who successfully trained Whyte to 11 consecutive wins following his loss to Anthony Joshua. Big things are expected from Fisher himself and those around him. He hopes to get his first taste of professional boxing in December as part of the undercard for a major Matchroom event. ‘Hopefully there can be some fans there,’ Fisher says, echoing the thoughts of professional sportspeople across the United Kingdom who want to ply their trade in front of the public again.

He is under no allusions of the challenges he faces but admits that he has his sights set on being British and then European Heavyweight Champion as a starting point, although he is keeping his feet firmly on the ground.

For the moment, Fisher is continuing to spar with Joe Joyce as the latter prepares for his huge domestic bout with Daniel Dubois at the end of November, that has been delayed three times due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

Fisher has been busy training non-stop as he puts everything into his preparation for his eventual first heavyweight fight, sparring with Hughie Fury, Tyson Fury’s cousin, whilst also training with Peter Fury, Tyson Fury’s uncle and former trainer. Fisher hopes to keep sparring with the brightest and the best within British boxing, name-checking the opportunity to spar with the likes of Dave Allen and the opportunity to continue to learn his craft off seasoned heavyweight professionals.

When asked about potential venues, Fisher admitted that he would love to fight in both his native Essex and Exeter, where he wants to be able to fight with fans in attendance to say thank you to all those who have supported him up to this point in his career.
As an amateur, he had bouts at the Lemon Grove but says he has been promised by Eddie Hearn that the card for his first bout will take place in a unique venue if no fans are able to attend in person.

At just 21, Fisher has time on his side and with the experience around him and his obvious talent, the sky really is the limit for what he can achieve.