His unlikely rise had survived hard nights against the likes of Dillian Whyte and Tony Yoka, but 2018 saw an upturn in form and after registering early wins going up against Nick Webb and former world champion, Lucas Browne, those within Allen’s circle wanted to ride this wave all the way to the business end of the division and secure either a world title shot or one heavyweight’s grandest names. 

Backed by Matchroom, Allen’s toughness was praised far more than his boxing ability, and even his refreshing honesty regarding his own standing in the sport made him a cult hero regardless of results.

Open about his mental health struggles, Allen’s everyday persona resonated with the public in an age where men are repeatedly challenged to talk more rather than bottling up their feelings and emotions. 

This combination garnered sympathy for Allen and in a sport where rooting for the underdog is a common practice, his persistence to climb as high as possible won many plaudits.

Against David Price seven years ago, Allen had the majority of London O2’s Arena in his corner, but popularity and admiration don’t win fights, and Price, somehow a major underdog going in, breathed life into his own career with a one-sided beating. 

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That was that for Allen, or so it seemed, the man who had sparred many rounds with Tyson Fury, Oleksandr Usyk, and Anthony Joshua had seen his faint chances of landing a fight with either of those names disappear in one night. Price would push on to secure a massive showdown with Derek Chisora, but it was unclear what would happen to Allen. 

Unable to get past the Liverpool man hurt Allen. Although he headlines at a football stadium this weekend against Filip Hrgivic, one of heavyweight's most dangerous operators , Allen was in no man’s land after Price.

The king of second chances had run out of opportunities and infrequent fights on the small hall circuit suggested Allen’s fairytale story was rapidly approaching the end. Enter Johnny Fisher. 

The Essex hope, one of boxing’s well-supported fighters, was ready to make the jump into domestic title class and he would do it in Saudi Arabia on the undercard of Usyk’s rematch with Fury for all four heavyweight titles.

Allen would be the fighter to help him make that leap, but instead, the Doncaster De La Hoya showed up and provided fight fans with the evidence he had previously shown the likes of Eddie Hearn, Jamie Moore and Darren Barker, all shrewd boxing men who had placed their faith in Allen. 

Allen rallies with Fisher victory

Fisher was dropped in round five before being battered for the fight’s second half, but when he was handed the verdict on the scorecards, Allen, even in defeat, was back in the spotlight with the arms of the sport around him once again, this time massively justified after giving it everything against a fighter who was considered boxing’s next big thing. 

Allen would destroy Fisher in an immediate rematch, but once again, after every step taken forward, he would be dragged back, this time by Arslanbek Makhmudov who made relatively light work of Allen with a dominant points win inside a sold-out Sheffield Arena.

The fanfare for Allen was at its peak, but the same old problems resurfaced as he once again demonstrated that he could not move up a level when the opposition became formidable. 

So where does Allen stand now with Hrgovic about to be unleashed on him this Saturday night in a fight where the victor could easily land something major at the end of 2026?

Are we about to see another display where Allen walks forward hoping to land something significant whilst constantly being outboxed like we got against Price and Makhmudov? 

Could he be outclassed and stopped bringing back memories of his contests with Yoka and Frazer Clarke?

Or is this the night when everything finally goes right and Allen justifies the belief placed on him by promoters and trainers who have constantly stuck by his side when performances have been flat and results have been disappointing? 

Regardless of what occurs on the pitch of Doncaster FC, it’s difficult to assess where Allen’s career will be afterwards. After losing to Makhmudov last October, Allen admitted he wasn’t good enough for that level, and it’s clear that Hrgovic is a much better fighter than the heavy-handed Eastern European who taught Allen a harsh lesson. 

Has he improved enough at 34 to cause an upset or is this simply too good an opportunity to turn down with Hrgovic close enough to land a world title shot that could become Allen’s if he can somehow shock the world. 

Even in defeat, will the noise be loud enough to tempt Allen to walk away or do promoters now know they have a genuine box office attraction capable of selling out arenas and stadium no matter how good or bad he performs or whatever the result is as a loss to Hrgovic would be defeat number nine and that is not the type of ledger that makes good reading when trying to persuade followers of the sport that you’re okay to continue. 

Should British title be Allen's realistic target?

Allen has been here before. Wins and losses now don’t seem to matter to a fighter who has never won a British title, but how fitting would that belt be around his waist if he finds Hrgovic too difficult a task to overcome? 

Constantly falling short against fighters a couple of levels above him doesn't seem to have dented Allen’s pride just yet, but it’s undoubtedly clear what it will do to his mileage if the beatings continue. A staple of British boxing for the best part of a decade, Allen’s perseverance has repeatedly been rewarded with fights he’s likely not good enough to win. 

If defeat does come against Hrgovic, perhaps the Lonsdale title is his last realistic target. If those guiding his career can land him bouts against some of the division's most frightening names on the world scene, securing something a little closer to home would be the ideal farewell gift. 

Watch Usyk vs Verhoeven only on DAZN

Oleksandr Usyk puts his unbeaten record on the line against Rico Verhoeven on Saturday, May 23, in front of the Egyptian pyramids, live and exclusive on DAZN. Buy as a one-off PPV or included, along with Zayas vs. Ennis (June 27) PPV, with a DAZN Ultimate Tier subscription.

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