Dave Allen has been around for many years and shared the ring with many top heavyweights.
‘The White Rhino’ is a beloved fighter from Doncaster who has had an up-and-down career, including big wins against the likes of Lucas Browne and Nick Webb, though he has often not always been in top shape and has also spent time away from the sport.
Recently, Allen has dedicated himself more completely and got a good knockout win over Johnny Fisher, which has set him up for a huge fight with Arslanbek Makhmudov on Saturday, October 11 at the Utilita Arena in Sheffield.
Ahead of that and speaking to talkSPORT, Allen listed the top 10 punchers he has faced in the ring or in sparring, and included the likes of Joe Joyce, Oleksandr Usyk, Anthony Joshua, Daniel Dubois and Tyson Fury, as well as former opponents David Price, Tony Yoka Luis Ortiz and Dilliian Whyte.
However, Allen reckons the one who hit him hardest of all is Derek Chisora during a sparring session.
“Chisora’s right hook was one of the most disgusting things I’ve ever felt in my life. His jab was non-existent, I can’t remember the left hook, but the right hook was just woah. After two rounds he was spent, I don’t think he was fit [at the time], but the first two rounds, incredible.
“He didn’t hurt me, my legs were never gone, it was just a real ouch moment and it worried me. I couldn’t wait for the rounds to end. Those first two rounds with Chisora may have been the two hardest rounds I’ve ever done.”
Chisora is a 49-fight heavyweight veteran who has promised to have just one more before bowing out as a legend of the sport. He has fought a who’s who of the division and could well be ordered to fight in an IBF eliminator next time out.
