![\"Dave](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/dave-allen-paid-tribute-to-eddie-hearn-after-his-victory-following-a-tough-couple-of-days-for-the-pr.jpeg\")
<\/p>\nDave Allen made a stunning return to the ring on Saturday night, demolishing French journeyman Karim Berredjem in just 57 seconds.<\/p>\n
The heavyweight fan favourite wasted absolutely no time in Nottingham, flooring his opponent within 10 seconds courtesy of a thunderous right hand.<\/p>\n
Berredjem somehow managed to get back up, but Allen wasn’t about to let him recover.<\/p>\n
The 33-year-old kept the pressure on relentlessly, refusing to give his opponent a moment’s respite before unleashing another devastating overhand shot to end proceedings.<\/p>\n
Dave Allen paid tribute to Eddie Hearn after his victory following a tough couple of days for the promoter<\/p>\n
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GETTY<\/p>\n
It was exactly the emphatic statement Allen had promised ahead of the Leigh Wood vs Josh Warrington undercard bout.<\/p>\n
Speaking after his dominant display, Allen was refreshingly honest about his approach to the fight.<\/p>\n
“I knew I was a level or two above this, but I had a comeback, I took it, and I said to Eddie [Hearn], I’m just going to let my shots go,” he explained.<\/p>\n
It has been a tough week for Hearn, who saw one of his prized fighters in Conor Benn ditch him<\/a> for Dana White’s Zuffa label despite all the support<\/a> the Matchroom chief has given him, particularly over a drugs scandal that threatened to end his career.<\/p>\n Eddie Hearn admitted he felt “betrayed” by Conor Benn after the boxer left his label<\/p>\n | <\/p>\n GETTY<\/p>\n But Allen paid tribute to Hearn, adding: “I have commitment issues, not to this guy [Eddie Hearn] though.<\/p>\n \u201cThis man will get me whatever I want; it is up to me how far I go, and it always has been up to me.”<\/p>\n The Doncaster man has always possessed serious power, but admits he’s struggled to fully commit to his punches in the past.<\/p>\n “I can hurt anyone in the division, but I’ve had a problem with letting my hands go,” Allen said.<\/p>\n “So tonight, I thought, while I have the chance, let’s knock someone out as quickly as we can.”<\/p>\n The victory takes Allen’s professional record to 25-8-2, coming just four months after his eighth career loss to Arslanbek Makhmudov.<\/p>\n Dave Allen finished off his opponent in less than a minute<\/p>\n | <\/p>\n GETTY<\/p>\n Remarkably, the 33-year-old has never claimed a regional title in his professional career, but he’s determined to change that this year with the British heavyweight belt firmly in his sights.<\/p>\n “I believe I can go even further [than a British title],” Allen added.<\/p>\n He praised the electric Nottingham atmosphere and expressed gratitude for still being able to entertain crowds.<\/p>\n In comes the towel, Dave Allen gets the first round victory to return to winning ways \ud83d\udc4f @DAZNBoxing<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/lMgzIvRs0d<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) February 21, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n True to form, Allen signed off with a cheeky message: “And giving all you fatties out there some hope.”<\/p>\n![\"Eddie](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/eddie-hearn-admitted-he-felt-betrayed-by-conor-benn-after-the-boxer-left-his-label.jpg\")
![\"Dave](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/dave-allen-finished-off-his-opponent-in-less-than-a-minute.jpg\")