Dave Allen found himself in a tough spot in his recent match against Arslanbek Makhmudov. The giant Russian proved to be a formidable opponent, leaving Allen struggling to keep up. Despite a brief surge in the ninth round, Allen failed to leave a mark on Makhmudov, who stood tall and dominated the fight. The 33-year-old boxer had anticipated Makhmudov to start strong and then fade, but to his dismay, the Russian kept his momentum throughout the match.
Facing a looming defeat, Allen had a chance to bow out gracefully. In past fights, he had chosen the easy way out when the going got tough. However, this time around, Allen was determined to see it through. He pushed himself to endure more punishment, refusing to quit even when his corner advised otherwise. Allen acknowledged his opponent’s superiority, admitting, “The top and bottom of it is I’m not good enough.” Despite the loss, he remained optimistic about his future in the ring, considering a shot at the British title in the cards.
Makhmudov, on the other hand, had his sights set on a potential showdown with Anthony Joshua. The Russian heavyweight, who sustained a hand injury during the fight, expressed his eagerness to face the former world champion in the near future. Having allegedly received Joshua’s agreement for a future bout, Makhmudov confidently declared, “Anthony Joshua, I come for you.” With plans to return to the ring later in the year or early next year, Makhmudov remained focused on his goal of challenging Joshua. Despite the challenges ahead, both fighters displayed resilience and determination in the face of adversity.
