Dave Allen is not going to waste time licking his wounds after being stopped by Filip Hrgovic.
The popular heavyweight received a hero's welcome when he walked out in front of a home crowd at the Eco-Power Stadium on Saturday night, with around 10,000 fans reported to have braved the rain in Doncaster.
Ultimately Allen's fairytale moment would not come to pass however as he was overwhelmed by the conesus top-ten heavyweight before the towel came with 20 seconds remaining in the third round.
Speaking following the loss the White Rhino vowed to fight on, and outlined his plan to work towards a shot at the British heavyweight title.
Despite suffering the fifth stoppage loss of his career just days ago, Allen has announced on social media that he will return to the ring next month at the Magna Science Adventure Centre in Rotherham.
"June 20th at Rotherham magna I will be back in the ring," Allen wrote on Instagram.
I physically cannot sit and wait to get back in the ring after last week.
- Dave Allen following his defeat to Filip Hrgovic on Saturday
"Full transparency it will be with a journeyman type of opponent and the rounds will be 4 or 6."
The 34-year-old added that tickets would be available at a discounted rate to supporters who were in attendance for his showdown with Hrgovic.
He continued: "Ticket prices £50 and £85 ringside but those who came to the fight at the football ground last week or my fights at skate central few years ago the tickets will be available at half the prices and with a free drink as I will be putting the money behind the bar for them so message @teamwhiterhino if you wanna come.
"I just love to box and I wanna enjoy it and while I imagine and understand a lot won’t be bothered travelling for me doing these smaller fights I have to rebuild this way to get my head out my a*** and get to my final destination one final big fight."
While a one-sided defeat by Hrgovic likely puts paid to Allen's ambitions of competing with the very best fighters the heavyweight division has to offer, he believes that securing domestic glory is still very much attainable.
At English level the heavyweight belt is currently vacant, having most recently been held by David Adeleye in December 2024.
Meanwhile former cruiserweight Richard Riakporhe currently holds the British heavyweight title after stopping Jeamie TKV in five rounds on the Tyson Fury vs Arslanbek Makhmudov undercard back in April.
