Online Reporter
DAVE ALLEN was battered for three pointless rounds in a painful homecoming against Filip Hrgovic.
The 34-year-old fans’ favourite was gifted a bout at Doncaster Rovers after building a brilliant fanbase over years for bravery in the ring and social media honesty online.
But the 33-year-old Croatian was far too experienced and talented for the father-of-two who was dragged out of the fire in less than nine minutes. With 30 seconds of round three left, Steve Grey saw the white towel from trainer Jamie Moore fly in.
And the ref rightly waved off the one-sided action before Allen suffered long-term damage. Hrgovic will now most likely be Moses Itauma’s August 8 opponent while Allen can try to rebuild and win the British title from Richard Riakporhe.
Hrgovic said: “I am sorry to the crowd, I know I am not the favourite guy here now.
“I started fast because he was very open from the very beginning, so I wanted to start fast and go on to become heavyweight world champion. “I want to fight anyone in the division and that includes Moses.I will check for any injuries and cuts and speak to my team and then I will sign the contract for Moses now.“If I am healthy then it is no problem for me, I have never run from anyone. Moses has never reached the promised land.
George Warren, the promoter said: “Dave was brave but Filip showed his class.
“Filip has a slight cut on his eye but the Moses fight is there and we can make it next.
“Hrgovic is a world-class operator and if they both want to be world champions, then they can get it on and do it next.”
Overmatched Allen said: “The stoppage was fine. Jamie is like my big brother, I have been with him six years and I love him to death.
“I love my corner and I will never go anywhere else, these guys are my family.
“If they say enough is enough then I thank them for looking after me.
“Doncaster is my home, I am Donny through and through, I got absolutely hammered, and everyone still stayed until the end.
“Everyone knows I am not the best fighter in the world, I am a good fighter but not great. But they have made me feel like a world champion.
“Filip Hrgovic was too good for me. But I have two kids and a lovely missus and I am so grateful to still be boxing.
“The British title is the one I want to win for my dad and grandad. Richard Riakporhe, I am not sure if I can hang with him, but I will try.”
Allen added: “I took the fight because it was like a winning lottery ticket for me.
“But he was too good, his right hand was too good.He was too good for me, I was second best but I am so proud and grateful to have brought all these people here.
“I trained as hard as I could, I put a right shift in, but he was too good for me.
“I only started so people would like me and be nice to me, especially my old man, so I feel like a winner, even though I got hammered!” —Sun
