Dave Allen vs. Filip Hrgovic | DAZN - 16 May 2026

[Ruthless-RKO]

Dave Allen volunteers to be opponent for Tyson Fury tune-up bout as he threatens to upset Filip Hrgovic in Doncaster

Dave Allen has offered his services as a potential opponent if Tyson Fury takes another tune-up bout ahead of his showdown with Anthony Joshua; Allen fights Filip Hrgovic this weekend, but won't take any inspiration from Fabio Wardley's "terrifying" heavyweight battle with Daniel Dubois

Dave Allen has volunteered himself to be the opponent for Tyson Fury’s tune-up bout ahead of the former champion’s showdown with Anthony Joshua later this year.

Fury is set to box his long-time rival Joshua late in 2026. But with Joshua taking a comeback fight in July, Fury could have a warm-up of his own in the summer.

No opponent has been decided for that tune-up, but Allen, the popular Doncaster heavyweight, has offered his services for that bout.

He hopes his contest on Saturday against Filip Hrgovic will put himself in the frame for that Fury fight.

"If I beat Hrgovic, Tyson Fury is getting called out," Allen told Sky Sports. "100 per cent.

"Even if I lose to Hrgovic but put a good fight up, I want the Fury fight."

Hrgovic though could well be yet another gruelling fight in Allen's career. In October the Doncaster man suffered a punishing 12-round loss to Arslanbek Makhmudov, whom Fury beat on his return to boxing last month.

"I'll do what I can but it's going to be hard work," Allen said of Hrgovic. "Another Olympic medallist, the fourth Olympic medallist I've faced in my career. I've boxed everybody.

"I'm buzzing for it, I'm excited for it, I'm not under no pressure. All the pressure's on Filip. I've just got to go out there, do my best, try my best and that's enough."

Allen also suspects that Hrgovic is looking past him to a potential fight with Moses Itauma.

Itauma is due to box next in August and if Hrgovic does come through his bout with Allen victorious and unscathed he could get that fight.

"He could be there. We'll make our decision next week who it's going to be," promoter allegedly told Sky Sports.

"[Against Allen] Filip Hrgovic is going into the other man's backyard and he's determined to show that he should be in this mix with a big, big fight. It's so alight, it's so electric, this heavyweight division. So many good fights to be made and they're all vying to get into contention for the big fights."

Allen maintains he can spring an upset. "I've sold the tickets just so he can come over here and bang me out in a few rounds and call Itauma out - I know the script. But I've trained hard and I really think I can give anyone a fight. I'll hopefully prove that Saturday," Allen said.

"I think Filip Hrgovic will get a real big surprise actually. I think he'll be surprised by my speed and my ability. Even though I'm not as tough as people think, I'm definitely a hell of lot better than people think."

[golden_labrador]

Yoka added to the card now. no opponent mentioned, but we can maybe rule out Wardley

[Ruthless-RKO]

Yoka added to the card now. no opponent mentioned, but we can maybe rule out Wardley

He's been in training camp for a fight anyway, so he should be ready.. but given it's a few days notice, i won't be surprised at the opponent. Unless they had an opponent locked in a couple weeks ago, even then.. not enough for a decent opponent.

[golden_labrador]

Yoka added to the card now. no opponent mentioned, but we can maybe rule out Wardley

He's been in training camp for a fight anyway, so he should be ready.. but given it's a few days notice, i won't be surprised at the opponent. Unless they had an opponent locked in a couple weeks ago, even then.. not enough for a decent opponent.

Yoka's cursed career in pro's continues

[joshj909]

Yoka added to the card now. no opponent mentioned, but we can maybe rule out Wardley

Give him a cheap European with a padded record like Camkiran or Hysa.

[Glass Joe]

This work out is cringe, they got someone come out of the concil estate to sing while Dave doing his workout

[joshj909]

This work out is cringe, they got someone come out of the concil estate to sing while Dave doing his workout

It's Devvo...

[Glass Joe]

Maxi hughes pulled out according to his opponent on facebook

[Floydendizer]

Dan Garber may be boxing Yoka now there’s a spare slot Saturday

[KiwiRider]

I'm a little surprised at the poll, overwhelming votes for Hrg to knock Dave out.
Dave's got a very good chin

[Glass Joe]

I went for points as its a 10 rounder. I would have said tko for 12. Maybe its a punishment stoppage like wardley

[Ruthless-RKO]

I'm a little surprised at the poll, overwhelming votes for Hrg to knock Dave out.
Dave's got a very good chin

Mean stoppage is also stopped on his feet.

[MasterG]

MC Devo was singing at the public warm up yesterday. I'm off to see him in York next Month

[jameswilson]

Sol Dacres said on his socials that he would fight Yoka if he was willing to step in last week when he was meant to fight Jared Anderson. Both Dacres and Yoka had their fights fall through around the same time and were set to face Okolie and Jared Anderson on different bills that were a week apart.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Filip Hrgovic on Dave Allen: ‘He’s not bad, he’s medium’

“I was surprised,” Filip Hrgovic told Boxing Scene about the moment he learned there was an offer on the table to fight Dave Allen. “I was looking for a different type of fight, but in the end this is what was on the table and it was a good offer. A multi-fight deal, so I accepted it.”

The pair will face off this Saturday in Doncaster, England, in a fight that has raised eyebrows ever since it was announced. After all, Allen is yet to register a win at world level, with his most notable victory coming against Johnny Fisher last May before he was outclassed by Arslanbek Makhmudov in October. Allen was a level below fringe contender Makhmudov that night, and Hrgovic - a level above Makhmudov - is widely considered one of the top 10 heavyweights.

“Yeah, I think it was a good fight. He had some moments, but I think he lost the majority of rounds,” said Hrgovic of Allen’s showing against Makhmudov. “It was good, it was an interesting, fun fight to watch. But I believe I'm faster than Makhmudov; faster legs, faster hands and it will be harder with me.”

So, how does Hrgovic rate his opponent?

“I think he's solid. He's not top level, but he's not bad. He's medium,” he said.

Many are concerned that Saturday’s bout, that pits one of the best active heavyweights against a fighter who is yet to win a domestic title, has been allowed to take place. Allen’s durability and chin has meant he has been able to compete with fighters far better than him, but it has come at a cost. In 2019 Allen was hospitalized after taking a beating from David Price.

Hrgovic raised concerns for Joe Joyce in 2025, prior to outpointing him, telling BS, “punches are not vitamins,” and that Joyce should consider his position in the sport. Hrgovic went on to defeat Joyce by unanimous decision.

“I don't know about [Allen’s] health, he looks good. I mean, with Joe Joyce you could see the consequences,” said Hrgovic. “You can see when he talks, but Dave Allen still looks healthy, looks good. I don't know. He must know what is important for him. Health is the most important.”

It also raises the question of what a win over Allen really does for Hrgovic who is pushing towards world titles.

“It's important for me to win, of course, to keep winning,” Hrgovic said. “It brings another fight, another good fight. Every fight is important.”

[keithmoonhangover]

The only way Dave Allen wins this fight, is if Hrgovic becomes so fatigued from landing clean shots that his body shuts down.

[Eolaithe]

I think the Allen–Hrgović fight will look similar to the Allen–Makhmudov bout, except Hrgović is more likely to force a stoppage.

Allen will probably spend most of the fight walking forward in straight lines, absorbing punishment without throwing enough back. Hrgović’s pressure and heavy shots should control the pace throughout.

Allen is durable and technically capable, but he often absorbs a lot of blows due to not throwing enough shots of his own. Because of that, a referee or corner stoppage looks more likely than a decision win, because Hrgović is happier to fight on the inside compared to Makhmudov, meaning the Croatian will land more punches on the Brit.

There’s also the possibility that Allen reacts the same way he did against Frazer Clarke, by effectively “quitting”, if Hrgović starts using the same rabbit punch rough-house tactics he showed against Eric Molina — pushing his opponents’ down with his left, before landing straight right hands to the back of their head.

[MasterG]

Donny ground holds 15,000 seats. Plus the pitch seats that will be on for this fight. Lots of seats left and not sure if the whole ground is open.

What do you think Dave will take home for this fight? More than 100k or less than 100k?

[Ruthless-RKO]

Donny ground holds 15,000 seats. Plus the pitch seats that will be on for this fight. Lots of seats left and not sure if the whole ground is open.

What do you think Dave will take home for this fight? More than 100k or less than 100k?

thats how it will look..

South stand closed and less floor seats that side too..

[keithmoonhangover]

Donny ground holds 15,000 seats. Plus the pitch seats that will be on for this fight. Lots of seats left and not sure if the whole ground is open.

What do you think Dave will take home for this fight? More than 100k or less than 100k?

thats how it will look..

South stand closed and less floor seats that side too..

Dave said in an interview that he expects 10,000.

[MightyWarrior]

He’s a smart man is Filip Hrgovic, and he’s right to question why on earth they have made this match for Dave Allen, who is going to cop nothing but a pay check and a bad beating.

Especially when he’s talking about the effects of eating heavy punches have had on Joe Joyce.

He’s a nice guy Dave Allen, very intelligent as well. I don’t know why they are making these crazy matches for him.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Keith Connolly was at the presser.. as was Frank Smith.

DAZN are not just gonna stop working with Connolly.

despite what Eddie says

[keithmoonhangover]

Keith Connolly was at the presser.. as was Frank Smith.

DAZN are not just gonna stop working with Connolly.

despite what Eddie says

Eddie said their relationship would be transactional from now on.

[mickey1975]

Donny ground holds 15,000 seats. Plus the pitch seats that will be on for this fight. Lots of seats left and not sure if the whole ground is open.

What do you think Dave will take home for this fight? More than 100k or less than 100k?

Hearn said he has earned well over a million since Fisher 1.

[gregregegg]

Donny ground holds 15,000 seats. Plus the pitch seats that will be on for this fight. Lots of seats left and not sure if the whole ground is open.

What do you think Dave will take home for this fight? More than 100k or less than 100k?

Surely it’s a few hundred grand purse. Then pay tax and coaching… I’d be disappointed if this dosent put well over 100g in Dave’s bank balance. He isn’t an opponent he is a headliner.

That said I read his purse was only like 30-50g when he fought lucus brown… which he headlined the 02 at…

But then a knob like Benn reportedly makes 15 million to fight a washed up prograss… (I still don’t actualy believe that, there’s overpaying but that’s feels like it’s toooo much)