Boxing
Dave Allen's extra weight pays off with raucous knockout of Johnny Fisher in biggest career win
Watch Catterall vs Eubank live July 5 on DAZN
In the fifth round of their first fight in December, Dave Allen dropped Johnny Fisher with a left hook but could not keep him down as Fisher wound up eking out a controversial split decision.
In their rematch Saturday night at Copper Box Arena in London, and live on DAZN , Allen once again made Fisher taste the canvas in the fifth round, and Fisher once again made it back onto his feet. But just when it was starting to evoke feelings of déjà vu", Allen unleashed a raucous left hook that slept Fisher face-first at the bell for a jaw-dropping fifth-round TKO.
The victory was by far the 33-year-old Allen's biggest professional win to date as it allowed him to capture the WBA Inter-Continental heavyweight title — the first title of his career.
Reflecting on the win, Allen proved the gamble to weigh in 20 pounds heavier than Fisher was well worth it in the end.
"I put the extra weight on, took the risk," Allen told DAZN in the ring, while holding the title in his hand, "and I got this ."
He added: "This means everything to me. I've been written off so many times but I knew I had ability."
Allen felt like an over-exaggeration of movement from Fisher left him vulnerable to being knocked out in the rematch despite the latter entering the sequel as the favorite.
"Everyone wrote me off again," Allen said.
"I'm the fattest, hardest man you'll ever see."
Despite feeling for Fisher, Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn saluted Allen.
"Tonight belongs to Dave Allen," Hearn told DAZN. "It's a real Cinderella story and he really deserves this moment."
