Dave Allen claimed probably the biggest win of his professional boxing career with a brilliant fifth-round stoppage of Johnny Fisher in front of a raucous crowd at London’s Copperbox Arena on Saturday night.
Back in December 2024 Allen had come up just short in his first meeting with ‘The Romford Bull’, losing a wafer-thin split decision in their first meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This time he was in Fisher’s back yard with 8,000 Essex fans packing out the capital venue and the bout being streamed live globally by DAZN.
But the 33-year-old from Doncaster (now 24-7-2) was absolutely brilliant as he turned on the gas in Round 5 to put Fisher (now 13-1) on the canvas inside the final minute. As the bell sounded Fisher’s corner threw in the towel to signal their man’s first professional defeat.
Round-by-Round
The fight unfolded like this at the Copperbox:
Round 1
Really nice start by Allen (265lbs), who claims centre ring immediately and is on the front foot throughout the opening session. Constantly leaning on his front foot to set up that big overhand right which put Fisher on his back in the first meeting. Not much of note coming back from ‘The Romford Bull’. Allen likely just nicks this one.
Round 2
Much better here from Johnny (245.5lbs) who is again on the back foot but starting to counter with that long right hand and also some lovely uppercuts. Same tactics from Allen, a march forward behind a high guard and trying to set up the big overhand right with a stiff jab. Fisher’s round for us.
Round 3
Allen starts the round with a lovely hook and uppercut on the inside, but as the session goes on it’s Fisher who is owning things. He is really starting to loosen up and find his range, connecting often as Allen continues to march forward. Johnny though does come close to losing a point for hitting on the break, he gets what appears to be a final warning from referee Marcus McDonnell. Fisher’s round for us.
Round 4
Another good session for Fisher, who continues to box well off the back foot, mixing in a stiff jab with long right hands and the occasional uppercut. Allen does keep him honest with a crunching right hand that just misses the target by a whisker – a reminder to the Romford man that the danger is still there from his veteran opponent. Another Fisher round for us.
Round 5
Incredible scenes as Allen produces a sensational session to turn what looks like a tough night into what might be the biggest win of his career. He turns up the heat early in the round by fighting close in with body shots and uppercuts. He is really pushing Fisher back and making this a brutal test of stamina. The uppercuts in close are really starting to sap Fisher and then a big right hand lands flush. Fisher looks like he might have weathered the storm until late in the session when Allen again goes up a gear with a furious assault that ends with Johnny going to the canvas. He beats the count, just, but his legs have completely gone and Allen sends him to the canvas again as the bell rounds. Fisher’s corner throw in the towel though and this one is OVER.
Results and Scorecards
Dave Allen wins by TKO right at the end of Round 5 as Fisher’s corner throw in the towel. We had Fisher up 39-37 after 4 rounds and a 10-8 for Allen in the fifth made it 47-47 but that is irrelevant now, the scorecards will not be needed here. Brilliant win for the ‘White Rhino’.
Post-Fight Analysis
A brilliant performance from Allen, who showed his smarts and ring savvy in a big way here.
Coming in heavier than first time out, he used his bulk and strength brilliantly to claim centre ring and sap the energy of the retreating Fisher.
Allen may have lost Rounds 2-4 as Johnny boxed nicely off the back foot, but this was all part of the gameplan for ‘The White Rhino’.
Dave had come on strong from Round 5 in that first meeting in Riyadh, and he did the same here with a fantastic three minutes which had Fisher on the floor twice.
Allen now surely has more big paydays at elite domestic level, but it will be a long and difficult road back for Johnny. The good news is he appears to be okay, and that is the best news after a devastating stoppage defeat.
Punch stats from Compubox
The stats bible had Allen landing just 13 power shots in the first 4 rounds, but he came on strong with 21 of 36 hitting home in that tumultuous fifth.
Overall, Allen landed 51 of 124 punches at a strike rate of 41.1%, while Fisher threw more leather but with lower accuracy. ‘The Romford Bull’ was 45 of 177 (25.4%).
Fight Highlights
You can watch highlights from the big fight right here – click on the embed below:
