Cult hero Dave Allen will take on Filip Hrgovic at Doncaster's Eco-Power Stadium in an emotional homecoming fight tonight. But behind the scenes, Allen has a secret weapon: his chef-coach Joe Hayden, who has been cooking, cleaning, and training him for the bout.
The House Husband Coach
Joe Hayden pulled on an apron and pair of rubber gloves to help Dave Allen dish out a beating tonight. Hayden, a welterweight boxer who will feature on the undercard, has been living with Allen during training camp, ensuring the heavyweight fighter stays on a strict diet. Knowing Allen was prone to a diet of pork belly and sweets, Hayden stepped in to cook for him.
"I thought that because we were living together, it'd be easier if I cooked for him," Hayden said. "I didn't mind doing it and if it's in front of him he'll eat it. I was making him heavyweight portions and I was jealous because I was in camp at the same time. I'd be dishing Dave's dinner up and then I'd dish my little portions up and be a bit upset."
From Training Partner to Trainer
The pair's relationship began during lockdown when Allen saw videos of Hayden and his brother training in their garden. "We started training together and I just carried on turning up and Dave ended up being my trainer. I've been with him ever since," Hayden explained. "His boxing IQ and boxing brain are amazing, and he's such a good people person. So when you put all that together it makes him a good boxing coach."
Hayden praised Allen's ability to see things that others miss, calling him a good teacher. "There are not many of them about nowadays," he added.
A Strict Regimen
Hayden has been cooking Allen's meals, which include eggs and toast for breakfast, a jacket potato with beans for lunch, and steak and potatoes for tea. He also handles the cleaning, feeling like a housewife at times. Despite the mundane routine, Hayden believes this is the best he has ever seen Allen.
"Because we were in training camp, it was very regimented and every day was pretty much the same, but I've been with Dave for six years now and this is the best I've ever seen him. He's got himself right physically and he's got himself right mentally as well. I think because he's done everything right this camp he's coming into the fight with a confidence he's never had in the past," Hayden said.
Tonight, Allen faces a tough opponent in Filip Hrgovic. A defeat could see him scrubbed from the heavyweight top table, but an upset victory would be a gleaming triumph, with his boxing house husband to thank.
