Dave Allen’s confidence continues to ride high after his big win over Johnny Fisher.
The proof can be found in his next planned fight, where he chose the toughest of six offered opponents.
BoxingScene has learned that Allen will next face big hitter Arslanbek Makhmudov. Matchroom is expected to announce full details in the coming days, though the current working plan has the fight topping an October 11 show from Utilita Arena in Sheffield, England.
Uncrowned’s Darshan Desai was the first to report the development.
The crossroads bout will mark the second ring appearance for each fighter.
Allen, 24-7-2 (19 KOs) is flying high after a stunning, fifth-round knockout of unbeaten Johnny Fisher this past May 17 at the famed Copper Box Arena in Hackney Wick. Fisher was violently dropped twice in the fifth, the latter which produced the stoppage at the end of the round.
The win was vindication for Allen, who was denied the upset in a disputed split decision defeat to Fisher last December 21 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Other options were available on this date for Allen, who reportedly wanted a stiff test for his next outing. Among the mentioned names from whom Allen had to choose include: 2016 Olympic gold medalist Tony Yoka, who has struggled in the pro ranks; fringe contender Otto Wallin; and unbeaten but unproven heavyweights Alexis Barriere and Nelson Hysa.
Makhmudov, 20-2 (19 KOs) still represents a dangerous night at the office for most heavyweights, though he will enter this fight with something to prove.
The 36-year-old Russian knockout artist – now based in Montreal, Canada – was on a roll until he ran into Agit Kabayel. Their December 2023 clash between unbeaten heavyweights saw Makhmudov suffer a stunning fourth-round knockout defeat in Riyadh.
Kabayel has since emerged as a top-five heavyweight and the current WBC interim heavyweight titlist.
Makhmudov has won two of his last three bouts, though the loss during that stretch is more telling of his current state. He was stopped in the eighth round by Italy’s Guido Vianello last August 17 at Centre Videotron in Quebec City, Canada. The setback came three months after a confidence-restoring second-round knockout of Miljan Rovcanin last May 25.
His most recent outing saw Makhmudov blast out unbeaten but largely untested Ricardo Brown in the first round on June 27, also at Centre Videotron.
The bout with Allen will mark Makhmudov’s first pro fight on British soil. It will take place mere minutes from Allen’s Doncaster home base.
