David Allen Falls Short in Sheffield Arena Debut, Loses to Makhmudov

Sheffield Arena Roars for Home Hero, but Allen Falls Short
British heavyweight David Allen's fairy-tale return to boxing as a headliner came to a close with a unanimous points loss to Russian powerhouse Arslanbek Makhmudov at Sheffield Arena. The 33-year-old, who had quit the sport five years ago, faced a tough test against Makhmudov, who entered the fight with 19 knockouts in 20 wins and just two defeats.

The judges scored the bout 115-111, 117-109, and 116-110 in favor of Makhmudov, marking Allen's eighth loss in 34 professional fights. Despite the setback, Allen's performance was met with thunderous applause from a 9,000-strong crowd, many of whom had come to support their local hero.

A Tale of Resilience and Redemption
Allen's journey back to the ring has been nothing short of remarkable. After retiring in 2019 following a stoppage loss to David Price, Allen spent time training young boxers, including Joe Hayden and Joe Howarth, who both won on Saturday's undercard. His return to the sport was initially at a "low level," but a series of wins, including a knockout of Johnny Fisher in a sold-out Copper Box Arena, propelled him back into the spotlight.

Allen's career has been marked by resilience. Despite numerous setbacks, including a stretchered-out loss to Price, he has consistently bounced back. His return to the ring in 2021 was met with cautious optimism, and his recent victories had set the stage for a potential British title shot.

A Night of Highs and Lows
The atmosphere at Sheffield Arena was electric, with chants of "There's only one Dave Allen" echoing through the venue. Allen, who had fought at the arena five times before, was determined to make his debut as a headliner a memorable one. However, Makhmudov's power and durability proved too much for the British fighter.

In the fifth round, Allen landed a massive body shot followed by a right uppercut, showcasing his skill and determination. The ninth round saw him spark to life with an overhand right, but Makhmudov's toughness kept him in the fight. Despite a second points deduction for holding in the 12th round, Allen pushed on, landing another powerful right hook, but it wasn't enough to secure the win.

Allen's Words After the Loss
Speaking in the ring after the fight, Allen reflected on the experience: "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."

Allen's determination was evident as he vowed to keep fighting, despite the loss. "I've never, ever seen anything like it," he said. "I nearly cried. I had to really choke it all back a bit on the ramp. I'm not finished."

Undercard Success
While Allen's main event ended in defeat, the undercard delivered excitement. Home favorite Josh Padley continued his impressive rise with a unanimous points win over Reece Bellotti. Padley, who had previously impressed Matchroom with a stoppage loss to WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson, now boasts a record of 16-1.

What's Next for Allen?
Despite the loss, Allen remains in the strongest position of his career, with another fight remaining on his Matchroom deal. While talk of a fight with former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder has slowed, Allen may now target the British title. He had previously expressed interest in challenging Jeamie TKV for the British title, but TKV will instead face Frazer Clarke on October 25.

Allen's journey is far from over. With his fighting spirit and determination, he is poised to continue his comeback story, one fight at a time.

Final Thoughts
David Allen's loss to Arslanbek Makhmudov was a tough pill to swallow, but it was a testament to his resilience and the unwavering support of his hometown fans. As he looks ahead, Allen's focus remains on redemption and achieving his goals in the ring. The story of the "White Rhino" is far from finished, and his fans will undoubtedly be there to cheer him on in his next chapter.