David Allen now holds a record of eight losses in his 34 professional bouts.
British heavyweight David Allen experienced a setback in his headline event, succumbing to a unanimous decision defeat against Russia’s Arslanbek Makhmudov at a vibrant Sheffield Arena.
The judges’ scorecards read 115-111, 117-109, and 116-10 in favor of Makhmudov.
Allen, 33, had previously graced the venue on five occasions, but this marked his debut as the main attraction. A crowd of 9,000 supporters rallied behind the South Yorkshire native, who had once retired from boxing five years prior, envisioning a quieter life.
He returned to the sport with championship aspirations, and for prominent nights such as this.
“I’ve never, ever seen anything like it,” Allen commented post-fight. “I nearly cried. I had to really choke it all back a bit on the ramp. I’m not finished.”
Makhmudov, with an imposing record of 19 knockouts in 20 victories and only two defeats, represented Allen’s most formidable opponent to date.
Amidst chants of “There’s only one Dave Allen” reverberating throughout the arena, the local fighter was forced to absorb heavy blows from Makhmudov early in the contest.
Bearing the names of his children, Betty and George, on his shorts, Allen began to pursue Makhmudov, landing a significant body shot followed by a right uppercut in the fifth round.
Allen displayed renewed vigor in the ninth round, connecting with an overhand right, but Makhmudov demonstrated resilience and durability.
In the 12th round, Makhmudov incurred a second points deduction – both for holding. This, coupled with the crowd’s encouragement, spurred Allen to press forward and land another powerful right hook, but it ultimately proved insufficient.
The ‘White Rhino’ has faced adversity before, enduring significant setbacks during his 13-year professional career.
Allen’s career has appeared to be in disarray on numerous occasions, but he has successfully emerged from retirement and rebuilt over the past four years, and will aim to do so once again.
A stoppage loss to David Price in 2019 resulted in Allen being stretchered from the ring, leading to his initial retirement from the sport the following year.
Allen shifted his focus to training young boxers Joe Hayden and Joe Howarth – both of whom secured victories on Saturday’s Sheffield undercard – before confirming his return to the sport he loved at a “low level”.
Following two wins in smaller venues, a defeat to Olympic bronze medalist Frazer Clarke was merely a minor setback as Allen promptly accepted a fight with undefeated heavyweight Johnny Fisher, unaware that this would propel his career forward.
Allen suffered a controversial loss in Saudi Arabia before avenging it with a knockout victory over Fisher in a sold-out Copper Box Arena in May 2025.
Despite the defeat, Allen finds himself in a favorable position in his career and has one fight remaining on his Matchroom contract.
Speculation of a potential fight with former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder will likely subside, but will he now set his sights on the British title?
Allen revealed prior to Saturday’s fight that an agreement to face Jeamie TKV for the British title had been close. TKV is now slated to fight Frazer Clarke live on the BBC on October 25.
Speaking in the ring after his points loss, Allen said: “They [his corner] wanted to pull me out with two rounds to go. I’ve never been down. I had to see the final bell for this crowd. I just wasn’t good enough and that hurts a little bit. I’ll try for the British title.”
‘It worked perfectly’ – how a loss secured Padley’s career
Josh Padley’s only defeat came against undefeated WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson
On the undercard, local favorite Josh Padley continued his ascent with a unanimous points victory over Reece Bellotti.
The former electrician from Doncaster secured a contract with Matchroom after impressing during a stoppage loss to WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson on short notice in February.
Bellotti initiated Saturday’s fight aggressively, but Padley’s agility and superior conditioning allowed him to outmaneuver the 34-year-old.
Padley’s record now stands at 16-1.
‘It worked perfectly’ – how a loss secured Padley’s career