The heavyweight division is in flux right now, and Joseph Parker, Dave Allen and Arslanbek Makhmudov are three men with a chance to shine.
All four of the major belts are currently held by boxing’s two-time undisputed heavyweight champion, Oleksandr Usyk,
Former champion Parker, who has beaten Martin Bakole, Zhilei Zhang and Deontay Wilder in his last three fights, is a WBO mandatory so stands as good a chance as anyone of getting a shot. Meanwhile, everyone else is manoeuvring for position in the hope that one day they get the call to fight for major honours.
Next to rising stars like Moses Itauma and former champions like Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Daniel Dubois, fan favourite Allen is one man in good form. He stopped Johnny Fisher last time out to reinvigorate his career, and has been told that if he wins his next fight, he could get a big step up and shot at someone like Parker.
Speaking to Pro Boxing Fans, Parker admitted that ‘The White Rhino’ will have his work cut out when he is back in action in October against Makhmudov.
“I think it’s great to see Dave Allen sort of have this comeback, you know. Johnny Fisher twice, and now he’s got this, another big fight with Makhmudov.
“The way that he’s been fighting, you just never know. When you look at the fight, Makhmudov is a favourite, but you just don’t know. Dave Allen is full of surprises, and it’s just nice to see him involved in bigger fights, and the comeback that he’s had.”
The Russian boxer is 36 with 18 KO wins from 21 fights, including over Carlos Takam and Mariusz Wach, though he lost to Agti Kabayel in December 2023 and Guido Vianello nine months later.
