The curious case of Dave Allen
Journeymen have at all times been a necessity inside boxing’s panorama and ecosystem. Whether or not utilised as a measuring stick for brand new expertise, filling the gaps at small or massive exhibits, or appearing as gatekeepers to find out if a fighter is prepared for more proficient competitors, bridging the gap between up-and-coming prospects and seasoned professionals.
Following defeats in opposition to Dillian Whyte, Luis Ortiz, and David Value, Allen has settled into the position of British-level journeyman, oscillating on the spectrum, going through 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 highly effective, hard-hitting novice Johnny Fisher.
Essex boy Fisher was a colossal 1-16 odds to flatten Allen throughout their encounter, with most pundits and journalists predicting the 32-year-old Yorkshireman would discover himself in “Alan Babic” territory throughout the first three rounds, after being clobbered and pounded to the canvas in brutal style.
In hindsight, it’s simple to critique those that appeared to lapse their pre-fight evaluation and attentions by giving ‘The White Rhino’ no likelihood in any respect in opposition to ‘The Romford Bull’. That stated, via inactivity and his poor efficiency in opposition to Frazer Clarke final yr, it appeared Fisher was a secure guess. Ah bosh!
Allen has by no means been the largest of heavyweights, possessed the quickest of arms, nor the quickest of ft, and he has by no means been the fittest of fighters, primarily on account of his slack and lackadaisical strategy in direction of coaching, vitamin and conditioning.
Whereas his KO ratio has by no means been dismissed, Allen’s energy actually just isn’t that of a standard heavy. But, his attributes have at all times been his pure energy, a resilient chin, and to a point, his persona as a lazy, unfit fighter – somebody whose nonchalant angle and sometimes comically unprofessional coaching ethos – lulled opponents into the assured perception that he was a tailored punchbag, excellent for notching one other win on their information.
A major instance is the once-promising heavyweight Nick Webb, who was favoured to defeat the out-of-shape Allen however finally discovered himself on the receiving finish of an anvil overhand proper that despatched him via the ropes within the fourth spherical.
Quick ahead from Allen’s transient retirement from boxing in 2020 after being outclassed and outfoxed by large David Value for the WBA Continental heavyweight title, he returned to the game to face lower-end opposition held at motels and leisure centres in his Yorkshire yard till being handpicked by Frazer Clarke’s group as cannon fodder.
Regardless of the Olympian Clarke claiming victory within the sixth stanza, the combat was a disappointing affair and was starved of any actual motion, and even noticed Allen withdraw from the competition on account of complaints of a number of low blows, and a perforated eardrum.
It wasn’t the return he hoped for, however Allen re-evaluated his place throughout the heavyweight meals chain, accepting he was by no means going to win a world and even European title – however as an alternative – his path was to function a seasoned gatekeeper at home degree.
Forward of the combat, it appeared Johnny Fisher’s group, together with his matchmaker and coach, failed to completely respect and put together for the potential dangers a combat with Dave Allen may deliver. In spite of everything, Allen had solely fought 5 instances in 5 years – certainly this boded of their man’s favour.
Nonetheless, Fisher had been accustomed to overwhelming opponents within the early rounds with uncooked energy, and fierce, relentless aggression, and, previous to Allen, a majority of Fisher’s victories had come swiftly, with a lot of his opponents unable to final past the primary few rounds. This strategy left him with little expertise coping with a fighter who may stand up to strain and switch the tide because the rounds progressed.
Aggravated and insulted by the concept a fighter of Fisher’s calibre was able to rapidly and severely dispatching of him, Allen seemed to be alone within the concerns that, with a full camp boxed off, he could be an excessive amount of for a novice like Johnny.
Allen had 14 years of expertise – he knew his commerce – learn how to handle the gap, learn how to lean on his opponent within the clinch, and when to carry to disrupt the rhythm of a youthful, more energizing fighter. This was a facet of boxing that Fisher had not but really confronted, and his group’s failure to recognise it was a essential oversight.
As well as, Fisher’s group underestimated Allen’s potential to climate the storm within the early rounds and take the combat into the later levels. Moreover, Johnny’s lack of deep endurance and his comparatively inexperienced potential to adapt to a chronic battle have been uncovered when Allen efficiently managed to outlive the early barrage.
As soon as Allen endured the preliminary first few rounds, Fisher’s limitations have been being uncovered, and it turned clear that the seasoned journeyman was very a lot able to profitable the combat, whereas throwing chilly water over everybody who doubted him. Fisher’s waning output, coupled with Allen’s techniques of leaning, holding, and punching within the clinch, finally made him extra weak because the rounds progressed.
By the fifth, Johnny Fisher was exhausted from throwing a glut of energy punches. After breaking from a clinch, Fisher’s arms have been down as Allen cobbed him across the ear with a stable left hook that felled ‘The Romford Bull’.
Again on his ft after two or three seconds, Fisher was given an eight rely earlier than the combat continued as he walked instantly into the whole lot his opponent threw at him till he was wrestled to the canvas after a short clinch.
Underdog Allen received each spherical from the fifth till the eleventh, bulling his man, pounding on the physique throughout clinches, and throwing hooks over Fisher’s arms, banging him to the top at any time when pressed in opposition to the ropes.
By the twelfth, each males have been drained, and Fisher had simply executed sufficient to nick the final spherical. Nonetheless, had it not been for his personal exhaustion – primarily on account of inactivity over the previous 5 years – Allen created ample alternatives to shut the present, hurting and staggering his opponent on a number of events all through the eyecatching contest.
However, after all, it was Johnny Fisher who was given the victory on the night time, a choice that has since brought on controversy all through the British scene. Betting websites have even paid out for anybody that picked Dave Allen to win.
A humble ‘White Rhino’ accepted the fact of his loss however respectfully insisted he received the bout. In equal measure, Fisher recognised the blessing victory, alongside along with his supervisor and promoter, however to melt the blow of getting his hand raised in a combat he clearly misplaced, there have been talks of a rematch.
Though Dave Allen suggested Johnny Fisher and his group that instantly stepping again into the ring with him could be the improper transfer, his opponent and good friend advised Johnny face one other two or three lower-level opponents to realize expertise and hone his craft earlier than they reconvened additional down the road.
Whereas there might have been sincerity in his phrases of recommendation, it additionally appeared redundant for Fisher to take a step again to face opponents of lesser calibre than the one he had simply fought.
Fisher and his group would have learnt from this combat, and it was greater than possible that Allen’s skilled, ‘previous man’ techniques wouldn’t idiot the Romford resident a second time.
Concerning Allen’s technique, he exploited Fisher’s inexperience and got here near kayoing a younger, but heat order. Nonetheless, in a rematch, if Fisher containers sensibly and conservatively – utilizing his prolonged jab, touchdown one-two combos, and making efficient changes within the clinches, he might be more proficient at countering Allen’s techniques, nullifying his sport plan, and dictating the tempo of the combat.
No matter what occurs subsequent, Dave Allen has solidified his repute as a real journeyman boxer – one who has confronted rising prospects and stepped in on brief discover for shorter pay. All the time a crowd favorite, he’s drawn followers to occasions desperate to assist him and watch him combat. Identified for his grit and resilience, Allen has been a vital measure for fighters like Fisher, aiming to make their mark.
It’s honest to say, Dave Allen’s affect on domestic-level boxing has been simple.
