Dave Allen has a huge task on his hands this weekend when he takes on Arslanbek Makhmudov.
The Russian stands at more than 6ft5″ tall and has knocked out 19 of the 20 men he has beaten, though he has also taken two KO losses to Agit Kabayel and Guido Vianelli in his last four fights.
Allen is often thought to be an underrated boxer who has never given the sport his all, but right now he looks in the shape of his life ahead of the bout in Sheffield on Saturday.
Legendary analyst Teddy Atlas has now had his say on the clash, as speaking on The Fight, he broke down the pros and cons of each fighter.
“Makhmudov is bigger, longer. Allen is shorter, smaller. Allen is going to have to get close. Allen is slicker, he’s better defensively, and he might be in a better place mentally. He’s at a high place right now in his career, and from what I heard he’s in the best shape of his life. He understands this opportunity.
“Makhmudov, I don’t know where he’s at mentally. He took two knockouts where the guy has broken him down. He showed a lot of heart, he showed a good chin, but he got broken down. I don’t know what he left in the ring mentally, emotionally, spiritually, so both guys can get hit.”
He then delivered his verdict on the outcome, appearing to favour the bigger man but not counting out fan-favourite Allen, suggesting that it may be the first man to land big.
“Makhmudov has an advantage in a way that he’s bigger so he may be able to catch Allen before he gets to him, and it might be that simple. It might be as simple as who gets hit first and if you go by that logic you might go Makhmudov.”
A win for Allen would catapult him to the next level and towards some potentially big fights. As for Makhmudov, rumour has it he may face Anthony Joshua if he gets past this Brit first.
