Johnny Fisher Leaves Matchroom for Dana White's Zuffa Boxing

British heavyweight Johnny Fisher has left Matchroom Boxing after five years to sign with Dana White's Zuffa Boxing, and will headline the promotion's Sept. 26 event at Copper Box Arena in London.

Fisher (14-1, 12 KOs) is switching camps following his first professional loss, and former promoter Eddie Hearn told talkSPORT Boxing the move came down to matchmaking philosophy. According to Hearn, Fisher wanted softer opposition than Matchroom was willing to provide on its DAZN platform. "If I headlined a show for Johnny Fisher against the guys he's going to be fighting, I would be ridiculed," Hearn said. "But you would be prepared to pay for a fight that he will be in because the fight that he is in is not good enough for my product, for DAZN's product, to put bums on seats, to make people engage."

What Zuffa Boxing's London Return Means for Fisher

Zuffa Boxing 11 marks the promotion's second UK card after an event in Bournemouth in June. Fisher's September opponent has not been named yet, per Sherdog. The signing represents a high-profile poach for White's boxing venture, which has targeted recognizable British fighters as it expands into the European market.

Hearn's comments suggest Fisher is seeking rebuild fights after the first blemish on his record, the type of matchups that fit Zuffa Boxing's model but would draw criticism on a Matchroom pay-per-view. Fisher had been with Hearn since turning professional and built his knockout reputation under the Matchroom banner before the split.

Reported via:

• Sherdog — Dana White poaches Johnny Fisher from rival Eddie Hearn