The curious case of Dave Allen

Dave Allen: The gift that keeps on giving

Journeymen have always been a necessity within boxing’s landscape and ecosystem. Whether utilised as a measuring stick for new talent, filling the gaps at small or large shows, or acting as gatekeepers to determine if a fighter is ready for more adept competition, bridging the distance between up-and-coming prospects and seasoned professionals.

Following defeats against Dillian Whyte, Luis Ortiz, and David Price, Allen has settled into the role of British-level journeyman, oscillating on the spectrum, facing mediocre to high-level British and European opponents.

On the eve of Christmas in Saudi Arabia, December 22, Allen was merely scripted to be a stepping-stone, albeit a slippery one, for the powerful, hard-hitting novice Johnny Fisher.

Essex boy Fisher was a colossal 1-16 odds to flatten Allen during their encounter, with most pundits and journalists predicting the 32-year-old Yorkshireman would find himself in “Alan Babic” territory within the first three rounds, after being clobbered and pounded to the canvas in brutal fashion.

In hindsight, it’s easy to critique those who appeared to lapse their pre-fight analysis and attentions by giving ‘The White Rhino’ no chance whatsoever against ‘The Romford Bull’. That said, through inactivity and his poor performance against Frazer Clarke last year, it seemed Fisher was a safe bet. Ah bosh!

Allen has never been the biggest of heavyweights, possessed the fastest of hands, nor the quickest of feet, and he has never been the fittest of fighters, mainly due to his slack and lackadaisical approach towards training, nutrition and conditioning.

While his KO ratio has never been dismissed, Allen’s power certainly is not that of a traditional heavy. Yet, his attributes have always been his natural strength, a resilient chin, and to some degree, his persona as a lazy, unfit fighter - someone whose nonchalant attitude and often comically unprofessional training ethos - lulled opponents into the confident belief that he was a tailor-made punchbag, perfect for notching another win on their records.

A prime example is the once-promising heavyweight Nick Webb, who was favoured to defeat the out-of-shape Allen but ultimately found himself on the receiving end of an anvil overhand right that sent him through the ropes in the fourth round.

Fast forward from Allen’s brief retirement from boxing in 2020 after being outclassed and outfoxed by giant David Price for the WBA Continental heavyweight title, he returned to the sport to face lower-end opposition held at hotels and leisure centres in his Yorkshire backyard until being handpicked by Frazer Clarke’s team as cannon fodder.

Despite the Olympian Clarke claiming victory in the sixth stanza, the fight was a disappointing affair and was starved of any real action, and even saw Allen withdraw from the contest due to complaints of several low blows, and a perforated eardrum.

It wasn’t the return he hoped for, but Allen re-evaluated his position within the heavyweight food chain, accepting he was never going to win a world or even European title – but instead – his path was to serve as a seasoned gatekeeper at domestic level.

Ahead of the fight, it appeared Johnny Fisher’s team, including his matchmaker and coach, failed to fully respect and prepare for the potential risks a fight with Dave Allen could bring. After all, Allen had only fought five times in five years – surely this boded in their man’s favour.

However, Fisher had been accustomed to overwhelming opponents in the early rounds with raw power, and fierce, relentless aggression, and, prior to Allen, a majority of Fisher’s victories had come swiftly, with many of his opponents unable to last beyond the first few rounds. This approach left him with little experience dealing with a fighter who could withstand pressure and turn the tide as the rounds progressed.

Annoyed and insulted by the idea a fighter of Fisher’s calibre was capable of quickly and severely dispatching of him, Allen appeared to be alone in the considerations that, with a full camp boxed off, he would be too much for a novice like Johnny.

Allen had 14 years of experience – he knew his trade - how to manage the distance, how to lean on his opponent in the clinch, and when to hold to disrupt the rhythm of a younger, fresher fighter. This was an aspect of boxing that Fisher had not yet truly faced, and his team's failure to recognise it was a critical oversight.

In addition, Fisher's team underestimated Allen’s ability to weather the storm in the early rounds and take the fight into the later stages. Furthermore, Johnny’s lack of deep endurance and his relatively inexperienced ability to adapt to a prolonged battle were exposed when Allen successfully managed to survive the early barrage.

Once Allen endured the initial first few rounds, Fisher's limitations were being exposed, and it became clear that the seasoned journeyman was very much capable of winning the fight, while throwing cold water over everyone who doubted him. Fisher’s waning output, coupled with Allen's tactics of leaning, holding, and punching in the clinch, ultimately made him more vulnerable as the rounds progressed.

By the fifth, Johnny Fisher was exhausted from throwing a glut of power punches. After breaking from a clinch, Fisher’s hands were down as Allen cobbed him around the ear with a solid left hook that felled ‘The Romford Bull’.

Back on his feet after two or three seconds, Fisher was given an eight count before the fight continued as he walked directly into everything his opponent threw at him until he was wrestled to the canvas after a brief clinch.

Underdog Allen won every round from the fifth until the 11th, bulling his man, pounding at the body during clinches, and throwing hooks over Fisher’s arms, banging him to the head whenever pressed against the ropes.

By the 12th, both men were drained, and Fisher had just done enough to nick the last round. However, had it not been for his own exhaustion – primarily due to inactivity over the past five years - Allen created ample opportunities to close the show, hurting and staggering his opponent on several occasions throughout the eyecatching contest.

But, of course, it was Johnny Fisher who was given the victory on the night , a decision that has since caused controversy throughout the British scene. Betting sites have even paid out for anyone that picked Dave Allen to win.

A humble 'White Rhino' accepted the reality of his loss but respectfully insisted he won the bout. In equal measure, Fisher recognised the blessing victory, along with his manager and promoter, but to soften the blow of having his hand raised in a fight he clearly lost, there were talks of a rematch.

Although Dave Allen advised Johnny Fisher and his team that immediately stepping back into the ring with him would be the wrong move, his opponent and friend suggested Johnny face another two or three lower-level opponents to gain experience and hone his craft before they reconvened further down the line.

While there may have been sincerity in his words of advice, it also appeared redundant for Fisher to take a step back to face opponents of lesser calibre than the one he had just fought.

Fisher and his team would have learnt from this fight, and it was more than probable that Allen’s experienced, ‘old man’ tactics would not fool the Romford resident a second time.

Regarding Allen’s strategy, he exploited Fisher’s inexperience and came close to kayoing a young, yet warm order. However, in a rematch, if Fisher boxes sensibly and conservatively - using his lengthy jab, landing one-two combinations, and making effective adjustments in the clinches, he will be more adept at countering Allen’s tactics, nullifying his game plan, and dictating the pace of the fight.

Regardless of what happens next, Dave Allen has solidified his reputation as a true journeyman boxer - one who has faced rising prospects and stepped in on short notice for shorter pay. Always a crowd favourite, he’s drawn fans to events eager to support him and watch him fight. Known for his grit and resilience, Allen has been a crucial measure for fighters like Fisher, aiming to make their mark.

It is fair to say, Dave Allen’s impact on domestic-level boxing has been undeniable.