There was no fairytale homecoming for Dave Allen on Saturday, as his coach threw in the towel to confirm victory for Filip Hrgovic.
At Doncaster’s Eco Power Stadium, Allen faced his toughest test yet as he took on Croatia’s Hrgovic, a world heavyweight title hopeful.
It was always likely to be an uphill battle for Allen, 34, and so it proved to be, as Hrgovic applied pressure from the opening bell until late in the third round.
It was at that juncture that Moore waved the towel at referee Steve Gray, signalling defeat for Allen, after Hrgovic poured on punches with the home fighter trapped against the ropes.
It had been almost one-way traffic up to that point, with Allen struggling to manage range and loading up on right hands, while Hrgovic threw crisp, straight shots for the most part.
In the third round, Allen was swinging increasingly wildly, even throwing himself off balance and to the mat in one moment. Shortly thereafter, the stoppage came.
“First of all, Jamie is like my brother,” Allen told DAZN after the fight. “I love Jamie to death. I said to him, ‘I will never go anywhere else, no matter what happens.’ These are my f***ing family, you know what I mean?
“Jamie said ‘enough’s enough’; enough’s enough. Thank you for looking after me. If Jamie thinks that’s the right choice, it’s the right choice. No excuse. I fought my heart out. Filip Hrgovic was too good for me. That’s no excuse.
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“Most people here, I’ve not even met them, but I’d kiss them if I could […] I had a good cry this morning, very emotional.”
Hrgovic, 33, said: “Sorry guys, I know I’m not [the] favourite guy here, I know they’re now sad, but it is what it is. That’s boxing, guys. Thanks to Dave, thanks to his team.
“I’m really happy for this win, and I’m moving forward to become heavyweight champion of the world. And yes, I started fast because I was connecting, he was open. I wanted to finish him fast to make a statement.”
It was then put to Hrgovic that he could face 21-year-old British star Moses Itauma next.
“Look, I always told you, I want to fight with anyone in the division,” said Hrgovic. “Moses, anyone […] I never run from any opponent.”
Queensberry’s George Warren then said: “Yeah, we can [make that fight]. That fight’s there, it’s done. [Hrgovic] signed with Queensberry on the basis that that was one of the options for him. That’s the job: try and get that fight made, and get it announced.”
Hrgovic’s sole professional loss came at the hands of Daniel Dubois in 2024, as a doctor waved off the bout due to the damage done to the Croat’s face. Since then, Hrgovic (20-1, 15 KOs) has outpointed Joe Joyce and David Adeleye, and he made it a hat-trick of wins over British heavyweights by stopping Allen (25-9-2, 20 KOs).
