Dave Allen has emerged as a sensational tune-up opponent for Tyson Fury ahead of his mouthwatering showdown with Anthony Joshua. However, there is a slight catch: Allen must first get through hard-hitting heavyweight Filip Hrgovic on Saturday night. The 34-year-old 'White Rhino' is looking to score a monumental upset in front of his home fans in Doncaster and potentially earn himself a crack at Fury.
After 10 years of trading barbs, Fury and Joshua have finally agreed to meet in the ring, with November being floated around as the potential date. Saudi boxing supremo Turki Alalsheikh confirmed the news last month, with Joshua penning a multi-fight deal. 'AJ' is expected to return to the ring in a tune-up fight against Kristian Prenga in Riyadh on July 25.
As for Fury, the 'Gypsy King' ended his year-long retirement last month when he outpointed Arslanbek Makhmudov in front of over 60,000 fans at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in north London. Fury was quick to grab the mic and issue a call-out to long-time foe Joshua, who was sitting ringside, but Joshua refused to engage in the theatrics, much to the annoyance of the boxing fraternity.
While Fury has already had the chance to dust off the cobwebs, it would appear the 37-year-old wants one more fight under his belt before his 'Battle of Britain' blockbuster clash with Joshua. The Morecambe scrapper's promoter Frank Warren recently told the Sun: 'He will fight, he wants to fight – he’s made that very clear. He doesn’t want to be back in the ring by November, which I think will be a gap of about seven or eight months. He wants to fight, he doesn’t want to be rusty again and he wants to get in there, but it won’t be against Andy Ruiz.'
Just days before Allen's return to the ring, the Brit has revealed he will be calling out his fellow countryman, provided he topples Hrgovic. 'If I beat Hrgovic, Tyson Fury is getting called out,' Allen told Sky Sports. '100 per cent. Even if I lose to Hrgovic but put a good fight up, I want the Fury fight.' Speaking ahead of his fight with Hrgovic, Allen said: 'I'll do what I can but it's going to be hard work. Another Olympic medallist, the fourth Olympic medallist I've faced in my career. I've boxed everybody. I'm buzzing for it, I'm excited for it, I'm not under no pressure. All the pressure's on Filip. I've just got to go out there, do my best, try my best and that's enough.'
