Life has changed, again, for British heavyweight Dave Allen following that brilliant rematch victory over Johnny Fisher earlier this month.
The 33-year-old Doncaster favourite (now 24-7-2) had appeared unlucky to lose a wafer-thin decision to the ‘Romford Bull’ in their first meeting in Riyadh last December.
The second meeting at the Copper Box Arena in London would see ‘The White Rhino’ leave no doubt this time around as he roared to a fifth-round stoppage victory.
Allen did not just silence 8,000 raucous Fisher fans with that terrific performance, he also set himself up for life in the process. Now he has more big fights to come, and the ensuite at home has always dreamed of!
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All sorts of names have been mentioned since the win over Fisher, with the biggest of all the former WBC world heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder, who is about to return to action after a year out.
‘The Bronze Bomber’ is expected to make short work of Tyrrell Herndon in Wichita on June 27, after which he will likely step up towards elite level again. A showdown with Allen would not only be at least on that trajectory, it would likely do very big business in the UK. Allen, also known as ‘The Doncaster De La Hoya’ is that popular.
Hearn on Wilder dream
Matchroom supremo Eddie Hearn is once again his promoter, and he told iFL TV: “Yeah, why not? I mean, look, Deontay’s got this fight coming up, which should be a formality. And then you know that Dave Allen against Deontay Wilder would be fantastic business in the UK.”
Hearn believes Allen is now in a position to fight his way to financial security, explaining: “So, we’ve now got a couple of fights with Dave, and I expect him to end his career with us, hopefully.
“You know, Dave’s in a really, really fascinating position now. I think, you know, I’d like to see him go and headline in Sheffield, if I’m honest. You can jump into a massive fight for, for as much money as possible. You can have an easier fight on an undercard somewhere. You can have a kind of mid-level fight – still gonna be a tough fight – but headlining. So he’s in a great spot.”
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Allen’s popularity comes in no small part from the very public and honest way he has detailed his highs and lows during a colourful career. It’s a persona which endears him to the entire boxing fanbase.
“The Dave Allen story is actually really heartwarming,” said Hearn.
‘Because he really f***ed it up and threw it away, if I’m honest. Like, he, he was struggling. When I say f***ed up, it’s probably a little bit harsh because he was struggling. And he had a really good opportunity to have a few big fights and kind of get himself financially secure. I thought he was done.
“Then he came back, obviously had a couple of wins. Then he got the Johnny Fisher fight and made good money there, made even better money in the second fight. Now he’ll make even better money in the third and fourth fight as well.”
While dreams of Wilder are apparently quite real, for now Hearn has focus on making sure Allen gets the maximum return from his next two fights.
Mortgage-free, and an ensuite
“I just want him to have those two fights now. And he will be good. Like, he’ll have a house paid off, he’ll have his ensuite that he’s always talking about. But, what if we could do something a little bit special? You know, what if we could make a run for it and a charge and rack up a few impressive wins? Because I actually think – I said in an interview – Dave’s a lot better than he thinks he is sometimes. No, maybe, I don’t know. Sometimes, you know, when he’s like, ‘Oh, I’m just, you know, I am what I am. I’m just a big fat geezer,’ and like blah blah blah.
“I think Dave can fight, and I think those, those tough nights that Dave’s had are probably what won him the fight against Johnny Fisher. Just that experience in mixing with that level. And, you know, he phoned me up, he said, ‘I want the Deontay Wilder fight’.”
