Popular heavyweight Dave Allen delivered a stunning conclusion to his rematch against Johnny Fisher at the Copper Box Arena in London, securing victory in spectacular style after appearing to be behind on the scorecards.
Until that moment, `The Doncaster De La Hoya` was trailing significantly, making his fifth-round stoppage a dramatic and unexpected twist in the fight.
This knockout win provides a much clearer outcome compared to their initial clash last December in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In that previous meeting, many felt Allen deserved the win, but Fisher controversially took a split decision.
However, in this rematch on English soil, the 33-year-old Allen left no doubt about the result.
As anticipated, the atmosphere was electric, creating the ideal setting for a fight promising action from the start.
Surprisingly, the bout began cautiously. Fisher utilized his jab from range, while Allen, despite pressing forward, was conservative with his offensive output. The second round saw a similar pattern; Fisher largely avoided his usual aggressive style, preferring to box behind his lead hand rather than exchanging blows up close.
Allen did land a couple of his characteristic overhand rights but seemed content to wait patiently for openings.
In the third round, Fisher increased his intensity, consistently landing his jab and also scoring with sharp uppercuts on the inside. Allen responded in the fourth, landing what was arguably his best punch of the fight so far – a stinging right uppercut – that snapped the 26-year-old`s head back.
As Fisher continued to box evasively, Allen, the naturally more aggressive fighter, injected urgency into the contest in the fifth round.
A left hook visibly stunned Fisher, followed quickly by a smooth combination that sent him to the canvas. Although he managed to get back to his feet, Fisher was immediately met by another powerful left hook, landing cleanly on the chin, prompting his corner to throw in the towel, ending the fight.
Earlier on the card, George Liddard dominated his British middleweight title eliminator, securing a destructive fifth-round stoppage against Aaron Sutton. The 22-year-old dropped Sutton within the first minute, followed by two more knockdowns that ultimately led to Sutton`s corner stopping the contest.
Elsewhere, Kieron Conway claimed the vacant British middleweight title with an emphatic fourth-round TKO win over Gerome Warburton. A debilitating left hook to the body finished the one-sided contest, moving Conway closer to challenging for European honours.
Opening the main card, Jimmy Sains went the full distance for the first time in his young professional career, earning the middleweight Southern Area belt via a wide unanimous decision against Gideon Onyenani.
