Heavyweight boxer Johnny Fisher has launched a scathing attack on VAR and modern football and declared ‘the game’s gone’.
The Romford-born fighter, who holds a professional record of 14 wins and one defeat, believes the sport has changed beyond recognition in recent years.
Speaking at a private Matchroom Boxing event in Canary Wharf, Fisher lamented the transformation that’s taken place in football.
He said: “Football is not what it once was. I used to love it, but I’ve fallen out of love with it.
“The game’s gone, as everyone says.
“VAR, the sanitisation and the corporatisation of football – the West Ham stadium is the perfect example.
“Where are the characters gone? Where’s the Ruud Van Nistelrooy? Where’s the [Nemanja] Vidic? Where’s the Daniel Agger, the Martin Skrtel, or the Dirk Kuyt?
“I miss the characters from football, I don’t see those guys anymore.”
Manager Thomas Tuchel is set to take charge of his first major tournament with England this summer at the 2026 World Cup and has just signed a contract extension until 2028.
But ahead of the most prestigious event in world football, ‘The Romford Bull’ admitted he is not excited for the tournament.
He said: “Tuchel doesn’t get me excited. I don’t go to Wembley and watch England play football and feel it.
“I’m not that excited about football. I don’t care anymore.”
The 26-year-old is the son of influencer Big John, who has well over half-a-million followers on Instagram.
And he has just shy of 300,000, following his rise in boxing and the association with his father.
Yet despite his criticisms of football, Fisher believes rugby provides the passion and grit he desires in sport.
He said: “Rugby, people say it’s struggling, but when you watch the Six Nations, the passion and the fire of their players and the grit they show.
“They earn a fraction of what those guys earn. It’s a privilege to watch them put it on the line.
“The personalities of the sport are what get me. When we look back at the best footballers, we think of Paul Gascoigne, we think of people like John Barnes.
“Shane Warne in cricket, Muhammad Ali in boxing – personalities are what captivate us, not just what they can do on the pitch, how they can resonate with people outside of the game as well.
“But I don’t get that with football now. I’m sorry, I just don’t. I can’t help it.”
Fisher’s last fight was on December 6 2025, when he stopped Ivan Balaz in the fourth round in Monaco, recovering from an early knockdown to secure victory.
The win came seven months after the first defeat of his professional career when he was stopped in the fifth round by Dave Allen.
Looking ahead in 2026, Fisher revealed he is heading overseas before returning to the ring.
He said: “2026, the year of the flaming horse has just begun.
“What’s new? I’m going to Australia tomorrow, to enjoy some sunshine, training hard with Tony Sims.
“I’m just enjoying life and living every day to the fullest.”
Feature image: Callum Milne
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