The gritty Yorkshire heavyweight Dave Allen, affectionately known as 'The White Rhino', steps back into the ring this weekend for what promises to be his most challenging encounter yet. The Doncaster fighter faces the formidable, undefeated Russian Arslanbek Makhmudov in a bout that could catapult the winner into the upper echelons of the heavyweight division.
A Tale of Two Heavyweights
Allen's journey to this moment reads like a boxing fairytale. After announcing his retirement from the sport, the popular Briton has been lured back by the opportunity of a lifetime. His opponent, Makhmudov, carries a fearsome reputation with an unblemished 18-0 record, all victories coming by way of knockout. The Russian 'Lion' represents the ultimate high-risk, high-reward challenge for Allen's comeback.
Manchester's Electric Atmosphere
The fight takes place at Manchester's AO Arena, serving as the chief support to the highly anticipated Liam Smith vs Chris Eubank Jr middleweight rematch. British boxing fans are expected to pack the venue, creating the kind of electric atmosphere that has become synonymous with major fight nights in the city.
How to Watch the Action
For those unable to secure tickets, the entire fight card will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Box Office. The pay-per-view event requires purchase through Sky or via the NOW streaming service, with coverage beginning at 7 PM BST. The main event ringwalks are expected around 10 PM, though fight fans should tune in earlier to catch Allen vs Makhmudov in what promises to be a explosive heavyweight encounter.
What's at Stake?
For Makhmudov, this represents another step toward world title contention. The hard-hitting Russian needs to make a statement against a well-known name like Allen to cement his position among the division's rising threats.
For Allen, the stakes couldn't be higher. A victory would complete one of the most remarkable comebacks in recent British boxing history and potentially position him for domestic title shots. Defeat, however, could spell the end of his second chapter in the sport before it truly begins.
The heavyweight showdown promises fireworks, with Allen's durability and heart testing Makhmudov's devastating power in a classic boxer vs puncher matchup that has all the ingredients for a British boxing classic.
