Next week, Dave Allen faces perhaps his toughest test yet, as he fights Filip Hrgovic in a much-anticipated heavyweight clash.

Allen (25-8-2, 20 KOs) has undergone somewhat of a career resurgence in recent years, with fans galvanised by his unfortunate decision loss to Johnny Fisher in 2024 – a result that gave way to a stoppage win for Allen in their rematch last spring.

And while Allen, 34, was outpointed by Arslanbek Makhmudov in October, he bounced back with an emphatic first-round win over Karim Berredjem in February.

(Getty)

That win set up this bout with Hrgovic, who had an encouraging 2025 – outpointing Joe Joyce and David Adeleye – after suffering his first defeat: a doctor-enforced stoppage loss to Daniel Dubois in 2024.

Now the Croat (19-1, 14 KOs) is seeking a return to the world-title picture, but to get there, the 33-year-old must get past the “Doncaster De La Hoya” – in Doncaster, no less.…