Dave Allen admits many fans do not expect him to defeat Filip Hrgović, but the heavyweight underdog believes one punch could completely change everything when they meet this Saturday.
Allen and Hrgović are set to headline the “David vs Goliath” event in Doncaster in a fight many view as a huge opportunity for Allen to pull off one of the biggest upsets of his career. The British heavyweight enters the bout as a significant underdog against the Croatian contender, who remains one of the division’s most experienced and highly regarded names.
Despite the odds stacked against him, Allen appears far from discouraged.
Dave Allen believes one moment can change everything
Allen was interviewed by ‘Pro Boxing Fans,’ where he admitted he understands why many people doubt his chances against Hrgović.
“The same way people can’t get the fight for me, I wish they could,” Allen said.
The British heavyweight stopped short of predicting victory but insisted he fully believes he can compete with Hrgović.
“I can’t sit here and say I’m definitely gonna beat him,” he explained. “But I know I can compete with him.”
Allen also pointed toward boxing’s unpredictability and suggested one moment could completely alter the outcome.
“You never know, really, because you only need one night,” Allen said. “All I need is one night.”
Allen reveals knockout blueprint against Filip Hrgović
Allen then explained exactly what he believes could change the fight.
Referencing past knockout victories, he pointed toward the body shot that stopped Lucas Browne and the right hand that helped finish Nick Webb as examples of the type of punch he needs to land.
“I need that Lucas Browne left hook to the body,” Allen said. “I’ll finish him.”
“That right hook from Nick Webb, if I hit him with either of them, it’s game over.”
The comments reflected a level of confidence Allen admits he has rarely felt before entering a major fight.
“I go into it with a bit of confidence, actually,” he added. “More confidence than I’ve ever had before.”
Allen and Hrgović enter fight on very different paths
Allen heads into the contest following mixed recent results. After avenging his loss to Johnny Fisher with a stoppage victory, he later suffered defeat against Arslanbek Makhmudov before quickly bouncing back with a 57-second knockout win over Karim Berredjem in February.
Meanwhile, Hrgović has rebuilt momentum after suffering his first career defeat against Daniel Dubois in June 2024.
The Croatian contender responded with victories over Joe Joyce and David Adeleye and remains viewed as one of the heavyweight division’s major contenders.
For now, Allen insists all he needs is one opportunity to shock the boxing world in front of his hometown crowd. It remains to be seen whether he will pull the upset or fall short against dangerous Hrgović.
