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Boxing
Dave Allen reveals the only way he can beat Filip Hrgovic, and it's not by knockout
Allen vs. Hrgovic on DAZN subscription - TONIGHT
Dave Allen has shut down any idea of him beating Filip Hrgovic by knockout tonight, live on DAZN.
Allen will return to his home city of Doncaster this evening, where he will face the Olympic bronze medallist in a fight which many are expecting him to lose.
Thousands will pack out the Keepmoat Stadium in the hope of seeing Allen pull off a major upset against an opponent who is linked to a meeting with Moses Itauma in August.
Allen is one of British boxing’s most popular fighters both inside and outside of the ring.
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While he gives it his all inside the ring, the fact Allen is open and honest outside of it has seen him build a following which many can only dream of.
This honesty was on show when DAZN News went to visit Allen in the final weeks of his training camp for tonight’s bout with Hrgovic who claims he only needs to be at 70% to beat the ‘White Rhino’.
So does Allen feel like he is being overlooked by his opponent?
“I feel like they’ve said, come and get paid for an easy run and take the rust off before a big fight,” Allen said.
“I’m hoping he underestimates me, on paper he is levels above me. I hope he does overlook me, but I’m not sure that he will.”
Allen confident he can beat Hrgovic on points
Tonight’s event being called ‘Dave vs. Goliath’ is apt.
Hrgovic has both a height and reach advantage over Allen, combine that with a superior boxing ability, he is a huge favourite to spoil what should be a night to remember for 34-year-old.
Allen’s role as the underdog appears to have influenced his strategy for the fight. Unlike most heavyweights, Allen will not be relying on his punching power to topple ‘El Animal’.
Instead, he acknowledged that he would have to beat Hrgovic on points, but more importantly, Allen wants to put on a performance that the people of Doncaster will be proud of regardless of the result.
“I’m going to have to outpoint an Olympian. I know how hard a task it is, and that’s why I’ve worked so hard.
“Not even just to win the fight, I want to be competitive, I don’t want to get banged out in a round, I’ve trained so hard because this is the hardest fight of my career.
“I don’t want to get embarrassed, that’s the most overriding feeling, more than winning.”
Will Allen retire after Doncaster homecoming?
At the age of 34, there is not much time left for Allen when it comes to finally winning a major title, but is retirement on the immediate horizon regardless of tonight’s result?
Not in Allen’s eyes who believes he has gotten even better as a fighter whilst preparing to face Hrgovic.
“I’m going to continue boxing, I’m getting better, I’ve never really trained properly for 14 years. Since I’ve turned pro, I have been on and off, the last couple of years I’ve been in the gym committed to it.
“This camp, a lot of the old stuff has come back to me, I was a better boxer seven, eight years ago when I was constantly boxing.
“I have every ambition of winning this fight, as mad as that might seem to people, I’m pretty confident.”
Allen vs. Hrgovic only on DAZN this Saturday
Dave Allen is back in Doncaster to face Filip Hrgovic in a heavyweight showdown this Saturday, May 16. Watch exclusively on DAZN with your subscription. Monthly and annual options available.
