British heavyweight boxing folk hero Dave Allen has revealed who is dream final opponent would be as he prepares to make his boxing swansong.
The Matchroom veteran has claimed his career is nearing an end, but says he wants to bow out in explosive fashion on the back of what has been a turbulent 2026.
Allen has fought five times this calendar year, including a blockbuster bill-topping showdown with recently crowned IBF world champion Filip Hrgovic in his hometown of Doncaster earlier this year.
A heavy knockout loss at the powerful hands of the giant Croatian has subsequently been followed up by a no contest with Thomas Carty on the undercard of Katie Taylor's final fight at Croke Park in Dublin.
Despite the disappointment of both of those fights, Allen is looking ahead to a more positive final 12 months in the sport -- one that he hopes is capped off with a fight against Anthony Joshua conqueror, Andy Ruiz.
"I’ve spoke to Eddie twice now about the Ruiz fight. The first time he said he likes it, then I saw him on Saturday and I would say it looks good to happen," he revealed to Boxing News.
"I’ll box again this year, once, maybe twice, because why not?
"But yeah, if Ruiz happens, that will be the last one, so hopefully [it does]."
Mexican heavyweight Ruiz recently endured a disastrous return to professional boxing following a two-year hiatus, succumbing to a shock loss against the unheralded Damian Knyba.
However, the former unified champion of the world has since announced his desire to continue and is understood to be keen to secure a clash with Allen; one that would represent a first fight on British soil for the 37-year-old.
