Johnny Fisher will continue to draw upon his friendships and experiences in rugby union as he prepares to face Dave Allen this December, live on DAZN.
The British heavyweight heads to Saudi Arabia just before Christmas as part of Riyadh Season's Reignited, on the Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury undercard.
- Read more | Johnny Fisher describes himself as 'cold night away in Stoke' ahead of Dave Allen showdown
It is the latest step of a steady rise through the ranks for the 25-year-old, who previously played rugby union at Exeter University and is friends with several professional players.
Ahead of his trip to the Middle East, The Romford Bull expanded upon his love for the sport, as well as what he has learned from it that he takes into the ring for his bouts.
"I know a few of the [England] rugby boys," Fisher said. "I’m good friends with Ellis Genge, Freddie Steward. I love following my rugby. I’m a massive rugby fan.
"It is the dream of mine – it is only a dream, because I’m not good enough – but I’d love to play for England. I’ll just have to dream about that.
"Rugby is an intensely physical game and the difference with boxing is that it comes from different angles. The physicality I learned from rugby, I always had it.
"But honing the skills and the grapples was very important [for boxing]. They’re consummate professionals. The big thing I learned was how important strength and conditioning is."
Fisher will look to expand upon his unbeaten record over a dozen fights so far when he faces Allen, a former sparring partner, at Riyadh's Kingdom Arena.
He has scored all but one of his victories by knockout so far and will be keen to further underscore his credentials against of potentially bigger bouts in 2025.
Watch Usyk vs. Fury 2 on DAZN PPV - Buy Now
Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury 2 and the full undercard will be broadcast live on DAZN Pay-Per-View worldwide in over 200 countries.
You can buy the PPV right now for £24.99 in the UK / $39.95 in the US, which comes with a seven day free trial of DAZN. For more information, prices in your region and to buy now, click here.
Being a PPV event means this is a one-off payment, with no contract or future extra costs.
The Usyk vs. Fury fight and all DAZN content can be watched anywhere and everywhere on any device via the DAZN App. Watch on smart TV's, smartphones, tablets, games consoles, streaming devices and any device with a web browser.
More Usyk vs. Fury 2
- WIN a VIP trip to Riyadh to watch Usyk vs. Fury 2
- List of the 10 greatest heavyweight boxers of all time: Has Tyson Fury done enough to make the cut?
- Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury 2 fight guide
- Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury 2 undercard guide
- There's no fear there!' - Tyson Fury compares Oleksandr Usyk to threat of Deontay Wilder ahead of rematch
- Fury predicts specific ending to heavyweight title rematch
- 'He has to conquer his own self first!' - Lennox Lewis offers insight into Tyson Fury
- Usyk vs. Fury 2: World champion Daniel Dubois makes prediction for rematch
- Usyk vs. Fury 2 - Bernard Hopkins makes emphatic prediction for heavyweight rematch
- Tyson Fury reveals wife suffered miscarriage on eve of Oleksandr Usyk defeat