Dave Allen looks for the biggest win of his career this evening when he takes on Arslanbek Makhmudov.
The two heavyweights collide at the Utilita Arena in Sheffield, in a clash that could lead to big opportunities for the victor.
Allen has been a professional for over a decade, but has struggled when coming up against the top contenders in the division, suffering defeats to former world title challengers such as Dillian Whyte and Luis Ortiz.
As for Makhmudov, he was seen as one of the most fearsome fighters in the sport having won 19 of his 20 fights by knockout, but two stoppage defeats in his last four bouts against Agit Kabayel and Guido Vianello has raised question marks over the Russian.
With the fight just hours away, the man that Allen defeated to receive this opportunity has offered his verdict on the match-up, after Johnny Fisher revealed who he thought would come out on top.
Fisher was an unbeaten prospect before being knocked out in five rounds by Allen back in May, and he told the Boxing365Podcast that he expects his former foe to earn the win.
“I think Dave will beat Makhmudov, honestly. If I was my aggressive self I would beat him as well. Maybe Makhmudov two years ago would be a different story, when he was on a bit of an upwards trajectory himself, but then he’s had the defeats to firstly Kabayel, a good world level opponent, and then Vianello.
“It’s being built as a big, big test for Dave but I think he’ll get through him quite easily.”
If Allen claims the win this evening, he has already named who he would love to take on next, declaring it as his ‘dream fight.’
