Dave Allen has earned a headline slot in his hometown, but the opponent awaiting him could cut that run short. The Doncaster heavyweight will face Filip Hrgovic at the Eco-Power Stadium on May 16, a booking that comes at the peak of his recent rebuild rather than the start of it.
Hrgovic has basically become the “British Heavyweight Grim Reaper” lately. After a tough TKO loss to Daniel Dubois in 2024, he bounced back by systematically dismantling Joe Joyce and David Adeleye in 2025. He does it with a high output and a chin that appears to be made of granite, which is historically a nightmare style for Allen.
Allen’s revival is real. Avenging that controversial first fight with Johnny Fisher by stopping him in the fifth round last May was a huge statement. He showed he still has that “Doncaster De La Hoya” feel, but there is a big gulf between a domestic competitor like Fisher and a top 15 world contender like Hrgovic.
That’s a big risk for Dave Allen, especially considering how he’s looked when he’s stepped up to that elite level in the past. While the story of a stadium main event in Doncaster is a dream for any local fighter, Filip Hrgovic is a cheeky choice for a homecoming dance.
Allen tends to take a lot of punishment to find his opening. Hrgovic is a volume puncher who doesn’t fade, which means Allen could be in for a long, painful night if he can’t find a way to hurt the Croatian early.
Promoter Frank Warren leaned into the scale of the event, pointing to the home and local fan demand, while Allen talked about the kind of night he’s chased throughout his career.
The trade-off is clear. Allen gets his moment in Doncaster, but it comes against an opponent who has been used as a benchmark for contenders rather than a step towards them. The opportunity is real, but so is the ceiling attached to it. Allen is used as a yardstick. If he wins, it’s the upset of the decade in British boxing.
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Last updated on 2026/03/27 at 17:11
