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Johnny Fisher: The Fear No Heavyweight Admits (It’s Not Pain!)
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Professional heavyweight boxer Johnny Fisher joins Matt for a raw conversation about mindset, discipline, pressure, and the business behind modern boxing. From debuting in a pitch-black COVID venue to building one of British boxing’s most commercially powerful fanbases, Johnny shares the psychological and strategic realities of the sport that most fighters never talk about.
Johnny breaks down the fear no boxer admits to, not fear of being hit, but fear of underperforming, and how he channels pressure into performance. He explains why commercial value now matters just as much as skill, and how fighters build careers through branding, storytelling, and audience connection. This episode is packed with insights that apply far beyond boxing: mindset, consistency, personal branding, and the ability to perform when it matters.
Whether you’re building a business, growing a personal brand, or pushing for the next level in your career, Johnny’s mentality and process offer a masterclass in discipline, entrepreneurial success, and performance growth.
What We Discuss:
- Johnny’s journey from debuting during COVID to becoming a fan favourite in British boxing.
- The mindset of a fighter: confidence, fear, belief, and performance under pressure
- The real fear in boxing, not getting hurt, but not performing to your standard.
- Why commercial value matters: brand, visibility, storytelling & fan engagement.
- Training discipline: twice-a-day fight camps, nutrition, routine & sacrifices.
- Joshua vs Ngannou, Fury analysis & heavyweight predictions from inside the sport.
Timestamps:
(00:00) “I can stop him in one round” — power, belief & confidence
(00:06) Johnny’s 2021 debut — no fans, full pressure, and the COVID fight experience
(00:14) The psychology of weigh-ins and the “I’m going to kill you” mentality
(00:20) Convincing yourself you have the tools to win
(00:21) How he eats, trains & prepares (including the famous Big John Chinese)
(00:28) Fight camp intensity — twice-a-day sessions & discipline
(00:35) Fear: why underperforming is the real danger
(00:40) The business of boxing: followings, fame & commercial value
(00:51) Joshua vs Ngannou, Fury talk & the state of the heavyweight division
Resources & Links:
Instagram @johnnyfisher1
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Chapters
1. Opening Stakes And Ngannou Talk (00:00:00)
2. Meet Johnny Fisher: Origin Story (00:02:49)
3. Rugby Lessons And Feeling Like An Outsider (00:05:20)
4. Boxing As A Solitary Craft (00:07:10)
5. Education, Work Ethic, And University (00:08:53)
6. COVID, Family Business, And Finishing The Degree (00:12:18)
7. Debut Fight In Lockdown And Managing Nerves (00:15:14)
8. Fear, Mindset, And Competitive Instinct (00:18:40)
9. Hype Vs Quiet Confidence (00:20:19)
10. Subscribe Push And Show Growth Goal (00:21:53)
11. Life In Camp: Training And Recovery (00:22:33)
12. Sleep, Breathing, Grounding, And Marginal Gains (00:26:02)
13. Food, Calories, And Heavyweight Nutrition (00:28:01)
14. Sauna, Cold Plunge, And Recovery Science (00:30:06)
15. Hearing The Corner And Trusting Coaching (00:31:18)
16. Keep It Simple: Don’t Overcomplicate Training (00:34:09)
17. Heavyweight Limits, Size, And Style Matchups (00:36:03)
18. Hard Fights, Injuries, And Learning Wins (00:38:09)
19. Money, Tickets, And Building A Following (00:41:04)
20. Sponsors, Authenticity, And Community Support (00:44:06)
21. Camp Costs, Cancellations, And Risk (00:46:08)
22. Spending, Investing, And Family Priorities (00:49:10)
23. Relationships, Obsession, And Focus (00:51:12)
24. Handling Hate And Why Brand Matters (00:53:05)
25. YouTubers, Marketing, And Lessons For Pros (00:55:06)
26. State Of Heavyweights And Dream Fights (00:57:13)
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