Dave Allen shakes his head in disbelief at how his homecoming bout against Filip Hrgovic came together, yet the British heavyweight is determined to seize his 'million-to-one shot' this weekend.
The affable, self-deprecating 'White Rhino' packs a punch but readily admits that facing Hrgovic, who is ranked in the top 10 by all four major sanctioning bodies, appears a mismatch on paper. Hrgovic aims to use the fight as a springboard to a world title challenge, while Allen is simply grateful for the opportunity to fight at Doncaster's Eco-Power Stadium, a mere 10-minute walk from his home.
'I don't know how I got here, really, how I'm boxing Filip Hrgovic on Saturday. I'm still none the wiser, don't know whose idea it was – mental, isn't it?' a grinning Allen told the Press Association. 'I hope we find out on Saturday when I chin him. It doesn't make any sense. I'm actually quite chilled about it because anyone who knows boxing knows I'm a million-to-one shot, and I love that.'
Allen (25-8-2, 20 KOs) has studied Hrgovic and believes there are weaknesses he can exploit. 'I've watched him and I feel like there's things he does which I can take advantage of. But at the same time, he'll be watching me and thinking exactly the same thing.'
Home advantage could be crucial for the Doncaster fighter. 'I've been going to the stadium every day and walking round the perimeter just to get used to it,' Allen said. 'When you go to the arena on the night, you get a weird sensation – that nervous feeling like you need the toilet. So I'm just getting ready in anticipation for Saturday because it's such a big night.'
Reflecting on his career, Allen added: 'I never thought I'd do too much with the boxing. I knew I had potential but I never really thought I'd live it, and I always thought it would pass me by and I'd end up having a very normal, average life. I haven't done it the conventional way, but here I am anyway, so I'm very proud of it, as random as it is.'
The 34-year-old has used the fight to reconnect with old school friends, although former classmate and One Direction star Louis Tomlinson will not be present due to commitments abroad. 'My old teacher gave me a yearbook, so I started making a group chat on Instagram and added all these people, and we've all been conversing,' Allen explained. 'And I thought, 'I'm not even the most famous person in this chat, it's heartbreaking.' Louis is in Mexico, but I've given tickets to some of them to come on Saturday. I haven't seen them for 18 years!'
