Dave Allen recognises his time in boxing is almost up.
‘The White Rhino’ returns to the ring at home in Doncaster for just the third time in his career this weekend and already has his next fight booked.
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Allen was denied a dream return at home in May when he was outclassed by a dominant Filip HrgovicCredit: Getty
After he faces fellow Yorkshire native Dan Garber on Saturday, Allen will begin preparations to feature on the undercard of Katie Taylor‘s retirement fight at the 82,000-seater Croke Park in September.
Allen has been trading wins with losses ever since he exacted revenge on new Zuffa Boxing signing Johnny Fisher in their rematch in London last year.
Before getting back in the winning column on a much smaller stage last month against Ross McGuigan, he faced retirement calls after suffering a beatdown at the hands of Filip Hrgovic — Moses Itauma‘s next opponent — at Doncaster’s Keepmoat Stadium.
But Allen, as he has been throughout his time at the top, remains open and honest on where he stands at this stage of his career.
READ MORE BOXING NEWSAllen joins talkSPORT Breakfast
Speaking on talkSPORT Breakfast with Jeff Stelling and Gabby Agbonlahor on Tuesday morning, Allen was asked how his training camp for Garber has been.
“Terrible. Terrible, really,” Allen responded.
“I’m not a lover of exercise. The older I get, the less I love it as well!
“Every day’s a bit of a slog. I’ve been doing a lot of training with my old man.
“The older I get, the more patient we become, I think, so me and my dad have been doing some training together.
“I know that I’m near the end now. A couple of fights left at the most, so I’m just trying to enjoy it really, make some more memories and try and get my dad more involved.
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Allen is just trying to get the best out of himself for one last push in the sweet science before calling it a dayCredit: Getty
“I’m just trying to get the best out of myself for one last little push.”
‘I must be the luckiest man in British boxing’
Allen takes on Ireland’s own Thomas Carty on September 5 in what is expected to be a monumental occasion for the nation.
Regardless of how others view his future in the sport, ‘The White Rhino’ is simply relishing every opportunity ahead.
“I’m boxing a guy from Ireland, I’m coming in as the away fighter — it’s going to be one hell of an atmosphere,” Allen said, speaking on his September clash with Carty.
“I’m looking forward to it. It’s a big opportunity for me to get back to the big stage another time, another chance for me.
“So I must be the luckiest man in British boxing, but I’m kind of taking it with both hands.”
But first, Allen, who boasts a professional record of 26-9-2, must get through 41-year-old Garber.
“This is good practice,” Allen added on his Garber clash.
“We’ve got someone in similar stature — a southpaw, so hopefully this will be the ideal warm-up for Croke Park.”
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Taylor faces undefeated French fighter Flora Pili at the top of the Dublin event in September.
Taylor’s cousin, former UFC star Molly McCann, also features on the well-shaped Croke Park undercard, as does Irishman Paddy Donovan.