Johnny Fisher survived an early scare before securing a stoppage win over Ivan Balaz in Monte Carlo.
The British competitor looked badly hurt when numerous hooks sent him to the canvas, but the referee bizarrely did not signal a knockdown and Fisher dropped Balaz twice before the referee waved it off in the fourth round.
Fisher was aiming to revive his career after a rematch loss to British rival David Allen, but the ‘Romford Bull’ was in danger of another dramatic defeat as the opening round drew to a close.
Fisher fell to the canvas in the opening round.
Sharp hooks from his Slovakian opponent left Fisher on unsteady legs and Balaz followed with a flurry and shove that knocked the Briton to the ropes.
Fisher surprisingly missed the count, but his defensive weaknesses put him in danger until the fight ended abruptly in the fourth.
A right hand sent Balaz to his knees and when he got back up Fisher landed another big right that sent him back to the floor and the referee signaled the end of the bout.
Conah Walker scored a devastating win over Pat McCormack.
On the same bill, Kona Walker earned a stunning knockout win over Pat McCormack in the 12th round at welterweight.
Walker unloaded a vicious combination that sent McCormack tumbling through the ropes and the referee waved it off as the Liverpool player slumped forward on the strand.
Another major upset occurred later in the evening as Brazil’s Beatriz Ferreira lost in the first round and was stopped by Turkey’s Elif Nur Turhan in the fifth. He won the IBF lightweight title in a stunning victory.
