BoxRec

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 Boxing Scene, “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.”

Hrgovic hopes for injury-free win; Itauma fight rumors intensify

Filip Hrgovic insists, to all that will listen, that he isn't underestimating Dave Allen in the hometown hero's Doncaster stadium headliner this weekend.

A win would position Allen (25-8-2, 20 KOs) to potentially challenge newly-minted WBO heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois, he joked during Thursday's final press conference.

"I trained really hard, I'm in good shape and ready for a hard fight. It's the most important fight for me, a must-win to continue on my journey, a loss would put me in a terrible position so I can't lose. He's probably gonna be the best ever, try everything to win," the 33-year-old said when asked how he was feeling heading into enemy territory.

Boxing Scene reported Thursday that having considered a prior offer from Zuffa Boxing, Hrgovic opted to sign a multi-fight deal with Queensberry and will be 'in the frame' to face Moses Itauma (14-0, 12 KOs) this summer.

Itauma is expected to be ringside at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster this weekend, casting an eye on a longtime contender still in the midst of his rebuild after Dubois inflicted his career-first defeat in June 2024.

When asked about rumors suggesting he's the likely opponent for Itauma's planned August 8 headliner at The O2, the Croatian contender echoed what he has been saying for a while now.

"Of course, I'll fight anyone but must win on Saturday, hopefully without injuries or cuts. Moses is, that date [August 8] is soon after my fight, we'll see what shape I will be after the fight. I must win, look good, be without injuries and we'll see but I'm definitely open to fight with anyone in the world."

Hrgovic told The Ring's John Evans that he wasn't impressed with Itauma's fifth-round stoppage win over Jermaine Franklin in March, insisting he would beat the 21-year-old if they fought.

"He still didn't receive one punch in his career. He didn't face any guys who fought back or who gave him hard rounds. It was just a walk in the park for him. He's fast, he's good, but we'll see how he'll be when he receives some punishment."

Win or lose, Allen should try going for the English, British or Euro belt. They're achievable. He keeps getting pasted by these guys that are a level above but he could do well against targeted domestic or European holders and challengers.

joshj909 wrote: ↑15 May 2026, 05:00 Win or lose, Allen should try going for the English, British or Euro belt. They're achievable. He keeps getting pasted by these guys that are a level above but he could do well against targeted domestic or European holders and challengers.

he had a chance to do that years ago.

i mean, looking at who he'd need to fight, he can still win those belts.

He just self promoted himself well and was able to pick up some pay days along the way.

Hrgovic is the most overrated heavyweight today. He's good but Slow doesnt really hit hard and seems to lack ambition.
Not saying Allen is going to win. I can see Hrgovich pts as its only 10 rounds.

Filip Hrgovic happy to fight Moses Itauma after Dave Allen

Filip Hrgovic is open facing rising heavyweight star Moses Itauma should he defeat Dave Allen on Saturday in Doncaster, England.

The 21-year-old Itauma has looked sensational in his short professional career, emphatically dispatching of the durable Jermaine Franklin inside five rounds in his last outing in March. A date of August 8 at London’s O2 Arena has been slated for Itauma’s next bout and his promoter, Frank~Warren, has said that a top 10 opponent would be next for the 14-0 (12 KOs) heavyweight.

There are reports that it could be Hrgovic,

The Croatian, also promoted by Warren after resisting an an approach by Zuffa Boxing, is expected to beat Allen this weekend with relative ease. Should he do that, and stay injury free, then Hrgovic is happy to face Itauma in August.

“I’ll fight anyone, but first I must win on Saturday, hopefully without injuries, without cuts,” said Hrgovic. “Moses Itauma… that date [August 8] is soon after my fight [with Allen]. So, we’ll see what shape I’ll be in after the fight. I must win, I must look good, I must be without injuries. We’ll see, but I’m definitely open to a fight with anyone in the world.”

Allen, however, is not too keen on facing Itauma next should he defy the odds and topple Hrgovic this Saturday.

“He’s talking about Moses Itauma – If the winner is boxing Itauma then I’m not that bothered really,” joked Allen. “This is everything to me, Filip Hrgovic is my end goal. If I beat Filip Hrgovic on Saturday, I’m not interested in what comes after. Genuinely, not bothered. If I beat Filip Hrgovic I might just put my gloves down in the middle of the ring and walk away. This is it for me. This is everything to me.

“Filip Hrgovic, you are my everything. You wonderful man.”

Hrgovic then laughed and replied: “Thank you my love. I love you too.”

“This is it, this is the big one,” replied Allen. “I win this fight and people will say I can box Itauma, I can box [newly crowned WBO heavyweight champion] Daniel Dubois. This is it for me. This is the one.”

Hrgovic was supposedly offered 4 big names by Frank after Allen. Frank is contractually obliged to give him one of them. Those big names are Kabayel, Itauma, Wardley and Dubois.

Agit Kabayel - Waiting for Usyk. If Usyk doesn't choose to face him after Verhoeven, then I could see this being an option.

Moses Itauma - A possible eliminator fight with the winner getting Dubois. However. I don't know who Dubois would face in the meantime. Zhang, Jalolov or Torrez?

Fabio Wardley - Probably going to take a little bit of time off. Hrgovic would likely like a fight sooner than Wardley will be back.

Daniel Dubois - If Itauma faces someone else, Hrgovic could be Dubois' voluntary defence.as he's ranked high with the WBO.

At the presser it said its Dev’s Last week with Queensberry? Anyone know where he’s going next?

Live weigh in

SeanBrennan wrote: ↑15 May 2026, 11:38 At the presser it said its Dev’s Last week with Queensberry? Anyone know where he’s going next?

He put a post up last week but he didn’t say what he was actually doing next.

SeanBrennan wrote: ↑15 May 2026, 11:38 At the presser it said its Dev’s Last week with Queensberry? Anyone know where he’s going next?

As far away from my television as possible? And if he could Thomas Schriber with him, that'd be great.

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑15 May 2026, 12:13

SeanBrennan wrote: ↑15 May 2026, 11:38 At the presser it said its Dev’s Last week with Queensberry? Anyone know where he’s going next?

He put a post up last week but he didn’t say what he was actually doing next.

Cheers mate

keithmoonhangover wrote: ↑15 May 2026, 12:15

SeanBrennan wrote: ↑15 May 2026, 11:38 At the presser it said its Dev’s Last week with Queensberry? Anyone know where he’s going next?

As far away from my television as possible? And if he could Thomas Schriber with him, that'd be great.

Haha I’ll ask him for you Keith

So random to see an Uzbek Olympic champ fighting on an undercard in Donny

That Ahmed fella is annoying

Dave Allen - 248.8 lbs
Filip Hrgovic - 248.4 lbs

SeanBrennan wrote: ↑15 May 2026, 12:26 That Ahmed fella is annoying

Defo but heard he’s ment to able to fight

SeanBrennan wrote: ↑15 May 2026, 12:21 So random to see an Uzbek Olympic champ fighting on an undercard in Donny

Isn't the Allen fight main event?

SeanBrennan wrote: ↑15 May 2026, 12:26 That Ahmed fella is annoying

I’ll definitely be watching to see if he can back it up.

MasterG wrote: ↑15 May 2026, 13:45

SeanBrennan wrote: ↑15 May 2026, 12:21 So random to see an Uzbek Olympic champ fighting on an undercard in Donny

Isn't the Allen fight main event?

He is.

Hrg isn’t Uzbek though

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑15 May 2026, 13:55

MasterG wrote: ↑15 May 2026, 13:45

SeanBrennan wrote: ↑15 May 2026, 12:21 So random to see an Uzbek Olympic champ fighting on an undercard in Donny

Isn't the Allen fight main event?

He is.

Hrg isn’t Uzbek though

Isn't an olympic champ either

MasterG wrote: ↑15 May 2026, 13:45

SeanBrennan wrote: ↑15 May 2026, 12:21 So random to see an Uzbek Olympic champ fighting on an undercard in Donny

Isn't the Allen fight main event?

There’s a welter, whose name I won’t try and spell, on the undercard who won a gold in Paris

Hrg clenching his teeth at the live weigh-in event, facing off against a guy with a beer belly in his underpants, wondering where things went wrong and just trying to get through this weekend

golden_labrador wrote: ↑15 May 2026, 14:48 Hrg clenching his teeth at the live weigh-in event, facing off against a guy with a beer belly in his underpants, wondering where things went wrong and just trying to get through this weekend

Nah, he's thinking, "I'm getting a load of money for a keep busy fight against a guy who's area level at best."