Disappointing Return for Dave Allen
In a disappointing turn of events for Dave Allen, his highly anticipated return to the ring on Saturday ended swiftly when his coach, Jamie Moore, decided to stop the fight against Filip Hrgovic, conceding defeat at Doncaster’s Eco Power Stadium. Hrgovic, a contender for the world heavyweight title hailing from Croatia, proved to be a formidable opponent for Allen, who is 34 years old.
Fight Overview
From the very first bell, Hrgovic maintained relentless pressure, demonstrating his skills and precision, which led to a significant advantage early on. The third round saw Hrgovic connecting with a flurry of powerful punches while Allen struggled both to manage distance and effectively respond, relying heavily on overextended right hands that often left him off balance. At the three-minute mark of the round, when Allen found himself cornered, coach Moore made the decisive choice to throw in the towel, signaling referee Steve Gray that the match should be stopped.
Post-Fight Reflections
In the aftermath, Allen reflected on the fight’s emotional toll.
“First of all, Jamie is like my brother,”
he expressed to DAZN, emphasizing his unwavering loyalty to his coach and team.
“No matter what happens, I will never go anywhere else; these guys are my family. Jamie said, ‘enough’s enough’; if he thinks that was the right decision, then it was. I gave it my all, but Filip was simply too good.”
Hrgovic’s Acknowledgment and Future Plans
Following Allen’s heartfelt remarks, Hrgovic acknowledged the mixed reactions from the crowd.
“I know I’m not the favorite here, and I understand that people are disappointed, but that’s boxing,”
he stated. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to fight Allen, while also keeping his eyes set on future challenges in the heavyweight division.
Looking Ahead
Post-fight discussions indicated that Hrgovic may soon face off against the rising British talent, Moses Itauma. Hrgovic affirmed his willingness to fight anyone in his weight class, with George Warren from Queensberry Promotions confirming that discussions for this matchup are underway. Hrgovic, who now holds a record of 20 wins, 1 loss, with 15 knockouts, is coming off a successful string of fights following his sole defeat against Daniel Dubois in 2024, where the match was halted by a doctor due to his injuries. This win over Allen marks his third successive victory over British heavyweight opponents, adding further weight to his ambitions of capturing the heavyweight title.
