Dave Allen name drops surprise opponent as he eyes up Yorkshire homecoming

Dave Allen will likely have his pick of British heavyweight contenders on the back of his eye-catching victory over Johnny Fisher last weekend, but the Doncaster star has already name-dropped a surprise opponent who he'd like to face on home soil next.

The 'Doncaster De La Hoya' avenged his December defeat to Fisher in blistering style on Saturday night, inflicting a first professional defeat upon the 'Romford Bull' courtesy of a devastating fifth round stoppage.

A plethora of names have been linked to the hugely popular fighter since his statement success, including British heavyweight title holder David Adeleye, Joe Joyce and even Derek Chisora.

However, whilst Allen is sizing up a crack at the British title later in the year - with Adeleye and Jeamie TKV expected to undertake a rematch following the controversial ending to the first bout - the door has been cracked ajar for the 33-year-old to undertake a Yorkshire homecoming in the meantime.

Allen has inked a two-fight agreement with former promoter Eddie Hearn this week and has told DAZN's Ariel Helwani Show that he already knows who he would like to face in his first fight back under the Matchroom umbrella.

"The plan is to headline locally, in September, but I don’t want to wait until September," he said.

There’s a fella called Chris Lovejoy who I was meant to box five years ago - he isn't very good, but that don’t bother me.

- Dave Allen (The Ariel Helwani Show)

"If I’m going to keep busy before September, I’d love to box him. Then, at the end of the year, if the British title is ready… I’d love to box the winner of Adeleye-TKV 2."

Allen's success on Saturday night has been described as the biggest win of his career by many in the sport, although 'The White Rhino' doesn't agree with such a bold statement - instead pinpointing his victory over Lucas Browne, at London's O2 Arena, as his true crowning glory.

"For me beating Lucas Browne, who held a form of a world title, at the top of the bill at the O2 will take some beating - in fact, I'm not sure that can be topped.

"I was 27 at the time, I was going through a lot in my life, things were hectic, but I, as a lad from a little town four hours north of London, was able to headline there and win the fight.

"Look, I'd have been heartbroken if I hadn't of been able to beat him (Fisher). I've been boxing 17 years now, I was the national amateur champion and when I turned pro, at least locally, people were talking about me fighting for world titles.

He added: "I maybe got lost in my 20s, life got in the way for me, but at 33 now, I have a family, a stable life and world class boxing coaches, so I should be beating him - I am just doing what I should have always been doing!"

Mark Mothershaw

• Matchroom
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