Arslanbek Makhmudov stood firmly in the way of a fairytale night for Dave Allen in Sheffield.
The beloved Brit trained like he never had before to face Makhmudov, who has shown vulnerabilities in two stoppage losses but hits like a truck and boasts some solid skills.
Post fight, an emotional ‘White Rhino’ addressed the crowd and confirmed that he would fight on despite suffering the eighth loss of his campaign.
“The top and bottom is I’m not good enough. He’s like top 20 in the world, I’m not. Simple as that really. He was too big and too good. I trained hard – Jamie and Nige, did everything they asked of me. Just not good enough. That’s all right. It’s a bitter pill to swallow. I’ve had to swallow it eight times, so, you get used to it.
“But, the crowd in here tonight… I’ve never, ever, ever seen anything like it. I nearly cried. I had to really choke it all back on the ramp there. I’m not finished. I’m not finished.”
Allen said Makhmudov hit him the hardest out of any opponent, but the will to thank his followers kept him in it.
“I’ve never been hit like that in my life. He hurt me really bad five or six times. Jamie wanted to pull me out with two rounds to go. I’m not a quitter, I’m a tough man. I’ve never been down in 34 fights. I’ve boxed the best. Everyone who come out here tonight… I had to see the final bell. I had to, if nothing else. I was gonna get put out on my back or reach the final bell.”
Finally, he suggested two potential routes for what’s next.
“I thought I had him going at the end of one of the rounds. I just weren’t good enough, and that hurts a little bit. But I’ll be back. Maybe for the British Title, maybe do Bridgerweight. I don’t know, but nights like that, how can I leave it alone? Thank you. Everyone here, everyone at home, I’m not the best but you guys make me feel like I am the best.”
Makhmudov, on the other hand, called out Anthony Joshua and may just land the fight.
