Dave Allen takes a step up in class against former heavyweight contender\u00a0Arslanbek Makhmudov (20-2, 19 KOs) in the 12-round main event this Saturday, October 11, at the Sheffield Arena in Sheffield, England.<\/p>\n
Allen, 33, looks considerably slimmer for this fight than he did in his last two contests against Johnny Fisher. Whether that helps him against the big-punching 6\u20195 1\/2\u2033 Makhmudov is hard to know.<\/p>\n
Power Edge Clearly With Makhmudov <\/p>\n
Losing weight may not be enough for Allen (24-7-2, 19 KOs) to absorb the big punches from the Russian slugger. If Dave starts slow on Saturday night, Makhmudov will likely knock him out in three rounds. Allen is too basic a fighter to stand up to the big shots that Makhmudov will be clubbing him with.<\/p>\n
The inside game that Allen depends on with the rabbit punches won\u2019t work against Makhmudov. He\u2019s dangerous in close and would be more than game if that\u2019s Allen\u2019s approach.<\/p>\n
Undercard fights on DAZN<\/p>\n
Junaid Bostan vs. Bilal Fawaz
\nJosh Padley vs. Reece Bellotti
\nHamza Uddin vs. Muhsin Kizota
\nIbraheem Sulaimaan vs. James Chereji
\nConner Tudsbury vs. TBC
\nJoe Howarth vs. Kane Baker
\nJoe Hayden vs. TBC<\/p>\n
The Allen vs. Makhmudov event streams live this Saturday, October 11, on DAZN, starting at 2:00 p.m. ET \/ 11:00 a.m. PT and 7:00 p.m. BST (British Summer Time). The ring walks for the Allen-Makhmudov fight are at approximately 4:47 p.m. ET \/ 1:47 p.m. PT and 9:47 p.m. BST.<\/p>\n
Wilder Talk: Hype or Real Possibility?<\/p>\n
Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn has floated the idea of Allen fighting Deontay Wilder next if he comes through Saturday\u2019s contest with a win. It\u2019s questionable whether Hearn can actually deliver that fight because the badly faded 39-year-old Wilder would likely want a lot of money to take a risky fight.<\/p>\n
Even if Hearn can get that fight for Allen, what does a win over the one-armed Deontay prove? The mighty right hand that \u2018The Bronze Bomber\u2019 once had is now gone due to shoulder problems, and his punch resistance is no longer there. His confidence has disappeared after his two losses to Tyson Fury and a bad knockout defeat against Zhilei Zhang.<\/p>\n
Any victory for Allen over Wilder would be strictly superficial. The fight would be just business to line the pockets of Allen at the British public\u2019s expense. If Hearn wants to do something meaningful for Allen, he\u2019d match him against one of these contenders:<\/p>\n
Lenier Pero
\nRichard Torrez Jr.
\nBakhodir Jalolov
\nFilip Hrgovic
\nMartin Bakole<\/p>\n
\u201cThe man in front of him is very dangerous. Arslanbek Makhmudov isn\u2019t what we thought he was, but he is very good. He\u2019s better than Johnny Fisher. He\u2019s probably a top 20 heavyweight, and that\u2019s where Dave Allen sits as well,\u201d said analyst Ade Oladipo on his channel<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cInternationally, I think people have Makhmudov as the favorite. I\u2019m hearing 8,000 will be at the Sheffield Arena. So, people are really getting behind Dave Allen,\u201d said Ade.<\/p>\n Since 2015, Olly Campbell has brought readers a clear ringside perspective and a steady voice on boxing\u2019s biggest nights.<\/p>\n Olly Campbell has been covering boxing since 2010 and has written for Boxing News 24 since 2014. Based in the UK, he now reports on the worldwide boxing scene, delivering fight news, results, and features that connect fans to the sport\u2019s biggest stories.<\/p>\n With a background in UK and European coverage, Olly has developed a style that blends sharp analysis with accessible writing, making his work valuable to both dedicated followers and casual fans. His reporting consistently highlights champions, contenders, and emerging prospects on the global stage.<\/p>\n