Dave Allen secures biggest victory of his boxing career with stunning Johnny Fisher stoppage

Dave Allen defied the odds to emphatically stop Johnny Fisher in their heavyweight rematch at the Copper Box Arena in London on Saturday night.

Having been controversially beaten in the first showdown last December, 'The Doncaster De La Hoya' vowed to tie up the series this weekend, and duly stuck to his word, securing the biggest victory of his career.

The opening four rounds of the fight played out in almost identical fashion to the previous affair with Fisher moving well, utilising his jab and notching up the rounds on the three ringside judges scorecards.

But Allen always looked a danger, and as soon as Fisher showed signs of weakness in the fifth round, the Yorkshireman was all over him - sending his opponent packing to the canvas with just 30 seconds of the round left, before finishing the job in emphatic fashion right on the bell.

"Finally, I've won a belt, I'm delighted," the 33-year-old beamed on DAZN after capturing the WBA Inter-Continental title.

"I knew I would win tonight - I learned a lot from the first fight, I came in heavier, packed some more weight around my body, but there were reasons behind that.

"Dave packs a punch and I had to absorb those shots, and I was able to do that. Dave is like me but I just have 30 fights behind me and that was the difference.

He's one of my friends, one of my absolute best friends, and we will be friends after this. We've been incredibly respectful in the build-up to the fight but I have truly known that I would prevail tonight.

- Dave Allen (DAZN)

With the two fight series now tied up at one win apiece, the logical thought would be for a third fight to take place, although Allen is adamant that he simply won't allow that to happen.

"It won't happen, and I won't let it happen, that's not in the best interests of Johnny right now," he added.

"I've got a lot of experience and I knew what I needed to do to win the fight tonight and that would be the case for the next fight too.

"Look, as I say, I have so much time for him, he's a great kid and if my children grow up to be half the man Johnny is then I will be over the moon, I truly mean that."

For Allen though, the victory opens up more lucrative opportunities down the line, with a potential crack at the British heavyweight title in the offering.

"Who knows, maybe I can go on and win the British heavyweight title at some point," he smiled.

"I know I am a good fighter and I know what I am capable of - this is my level. I will win some and lose some, but I feel comfortable here.

"At this stage of my career I need to be more selective with who I fight, and not chase the names like I have done previously.

"It's amazing to have this belt; I've dreamed of holding one aloft for a long, long time and tonight I have finally managed to do it!"

Mark Mothershaw

• Matchroom
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