What led Dave Allen to Filip Hrgovic? The unique logic behind a daunting test

Over the years, Dave Allen has gone by two monikers. The “White Rhino” feels fitting; the species is sadly endangered, and boxers like Allen are a true rarity. But what of the “Doncaster De La Hoya”?

While it’s not an actual comparison between Allen and American icon Oscar, the intentional irony of the nickname does distil a British humour that has been key to the heavyweight’s emergence as a cult hero.

And that status has only been enhanced over the last two years. In 2024, when Allen was matched with his former sparring partner Johnny Fisher – who has his own fiercely loyal fanbase – the intention was clear. Promoter Eddie Hearn was trying to give Fisher an appropriate test after the youngster had eviscerated Alen Babic. “Trying” is the operative word here, though.

Dave Allen (left) facing off with Filip Hrgovic ahead of their heavyweight bout on DAZN (Queensberry Promotions)

Although Fisher got the win, the match-up was seen as having backfired on the boxer and the Matchroom chief. Fisher was dropped and was arguably fortunate to get the nod on the judges’ scorecards. Yet Hearn pivoted shrewdly last spring, and the promotion of the rematch saw him position himself almost equally alongside both fighters.

And when Allen dropped Fisher twice in the rematch, forcing a stoppage this time, Hearn was quick to sign the 34-year-old.

Hearn did not abandon Fisher, to be clear, but he pushed Allen and capitalised on the veteran’s unique appeal with hardcore boxing fans.

It was not an entirely new connection, though. “Eddie’s cool,” Allen told Pro Boxing Fans after signing with the 46-year-old’s company. “I rung him in 2022; I needed some advice about something not even boxing-related. I think I’d had two four-rounders in three years. I messaged him on Instagram and said: ‘Mate, I need you to ring me, please. I need some advice.’ And he rung within about 30 seconds, and that stuck with me.

“Another time, I was meant to box and the fight fell through. It was no fault of his, [but] he came and gave me some money. He said, ‘Look, you’re not boxing, you’re not getting paid,’ and gave me some money. There have been times when it hasn’t been so good, but it’s little things like that… I don’t forget them.”

Allen during his rematch against Johnny Fisher, a stoppage victory last May (Getty)

It was a plainly sincere message from Allen, who so often opts for humour.

That brings us to Filip Hrgovic.

“He’s a bit like… you know Zac Efron’s character in High School Musical?” Allen asked Queensberry this week, as he prepares to face the Croat on a show co-promoted by Frank Warren’s company and Matchroom. “A bit of an asshole, a bit of a jock, like the handsome guy that knows he’s handsome and just… he knows it, don’t he? He knows, the boy; he knows he can fight.”

Untangling the misconceptions around the nuanced characteristics of Efron’s Troy Bolton is a task for another article. Still, Allen’s words showcased his unusual perspective on the boxing business.

Hearn highlighted that perspective last summer, while talking to iFL TV about Allen’s impending fight with Arslanbek Makhmudov.

“Dave is one of the strangest men I’ve ever met,” Hearn said. “He goes, ‘I want to fight someone really dangerous.’ I’m like: ‘But you know the money’s the same, because your money’s contracted now.’

“[Allen said:] ‘Yeah, but if I fight someone really dangerous, I might train harder, because I’ll be scared.’ I’m like: ‘Mate, Dave, can’t you just train hard anyway?’ [He said:] ‘No, I need to be scared.’

“I sent him a list of like four or five fighters […] and he’s chose the biggest puncher and the most dangerous one off the whole list.”

In Sheffield in October, Allen was outpointed by Makhmudov in what could have marked the end of his career resurgence. A late flurry by Allen showed what could have been that night, though, and that frustration fuelled his next outing: a 57-second demolition of Karim Berredjem.

Allen salutes his fans after his defeat by Arslanbek Makhmudov in October (Getty)

That February win over Berredjem could have been the start of another rebuild – the next incline on the rollercoaster that has been Allen’s career – but the Doncaster De La Hoya has opted for danger again. On Saturday, he faces his toughest test yet in Hrgovic, who ventures into Allen’s own backyard for a headline bout at the Eco Power Stadium.

Hrgovic (19-1, 14 KOs) is a heavy favourite, and understandably so. The 33-year-old’s sole defeat was a doctor stoppage by Daniel Dubois in 2024, after a bullying start by Hrgovic, who holds wins over Zhilei Zhang, Joe Joyce, David Adeleye and Demsey McKean.

Why did Allen (25-8-2, 20 KOs) choose Hrgovic, then? Based on the same unique logic that led him to Makhmudov, it seems: Allen believes fear will make him a better fighter. And on Saturday, he must be the best he’s ever been.

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