It was not long ago where some were anointing Heavyweight contender Filip Hrgovic as perhaps the future of the division as cornerstones like Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury to name a few entered what many would call the twilight of their respective careers. After all, Hrgovic would check off several boxes that would make such a distinction logical. Standing at 6 '6 with an eighty-two inch reach and punching power, Hrgovic fit right in with the potential future central figures of the Heavyweight division.
Despite the high expectations of some, Hrgovic did stumble in suffering his lone career defeat at the hands of the recently crowned two-time World Heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois in June 2024, being stopped in the eighth round. To his credit, Hrgovic was able to rebound to win his next two fights and would appear to be back in line of potential world title challengers in the not too distant future. Before that can happen, however, Hrgovic will enter the ring once more to face longtime Heavyweight veteran Dave Allen on May 16th at Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster, England in a scheduled ten round bout that can be seen worldwide on digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN.
While this fight for Hrgovic, who will enter the bout with a record of 19-1, with 14 Knockouts, represents the next step in the rebuilding process, this could be a difficult assignment against the veteran Allen, who will come in with a record of 25-8-2, with 20 Knockouts. Allen is a very “Game" and durable fighter who has always given his best, but has failed to get his hand raised whenever he has stepped up in caliber of competition, despite the opinions of some that he came out on the short end of some fights that many feel he won, most notably in his first fight against Johnny Fisher in December 2024. In a career that has seen several ups and downs, this encounter may represent what might be viewed as Allen's last chance to make a splash on the world level of the Heavyweight division.
It is a task that could prove to be easier said than done as Hrgovic has knockout power in either hand and what some may view as a red flag in terms of Allen's chances in this fight is he has been stopped in four of his eight career defeats. Although Allen has punching power in his own right having twenty knockouts in his twenty-five wins including avenging his loss to Fisher in May of last year,and keeping in mind all it takes is one punch, especially in the Heavyweight division, conventional wisdom would suggest that Allen's best chance in this fight is to try to get in close early and not give Hrgovic room to breathe or get his punches off with leverage.
While it may indeed be easier said than done, Allen must make this an ugly fight on the inside and look to tire Hrgovic as the bout progresses. Hrgovic has tired later in fights and if Allen can take things into the middle and late rounds without sustaining too much punishment, he could end up pulling off what some might consider an unlikely upset. On the flip side of the equation, Hrgovic’s best approach in this fight will likely be to use his reach to try and keep Allen on the outside where he will theoretically be unable to get his punches off consistently and will be forced into a defense first mentality. Although neither Hrgovic or Allen find themselves currently in the immediate discussion of potential world title challengers going into the fight, an impressive performance by either could well serve as the catapult to move the winner into that conversation.
“And That's The Boxing Truth.”
Hrgovic vs. Allen takes place on Saturday, May 16th at Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster, England. The fight as well as its full undercard can be seen worldwide on digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN beginning at 11AM ET/8AM PT with preliminary action. This will be followed by the main card beginning at 1PM ET/10AM PT.
(*North American Times Only.*)
(*Card and Start Times Subject to Change.*)
For more information about DAZN including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices, platforms, Smart TVs, availability around the world, local start times in your area, and to subscribe please visit: www.DAZN.com.
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