Momentum

In the form of his life after a long, rollercoaster career, Allen meets the monstrous Makhmudov.

By Graham Houston

★★★★★ MAIN EVENT

★★★★★ UNDERCARD

IN THE ZONE: Often thought to have not given his best, Allen looks in great shape for this one

Photos: MARK ROBINSON/MATCHROOM

AT THE age of 33 and after twists and turns in his career,David Allenhas astonishingly acquired a new lease on life as a fighter. He’s actually a heavyweight contender now (No. 8 in the WBA ratings).

Fights against some of the division’s biggest names could be in the pipeline if Allen can get past Russia’s towering, menacing Arslanbek Makhmudov in their 12-rounder at Sheffield Arena on Saturday.

Makhmudov is no longer world-rated, but he’s a big name. It wasn’t so long ago that people in the boxing business were seeing him as a potential champion.

Things haven’t worked out that way. He’s lost two fights, both inside the distance. We now know ‘The Lion’ isn’t the next big thing in the heavyweight division. But he’s not quite a big bust, either. Maybe somewhere in between.

Makhmudov is nobody’s idea of an easy night’s work, though. He is a huge man at almost 6ft 6ins and about 260lbs. He has a clubbing type of power and won his last fight on a first-round KO. That’s 19 KOs in a record of 20-2.

Yet while this beast from the east (now based in Montreal, Quebec) is dangerous, he is also hittable and to an extent has been exposed; a “get you or get got” type of fighter, if you’ll pardon the grammar.