By Trevor McIntyre: Dave Allen says he’s going to continue his career following a disappointing loss to heavyweight David Price earlier this month on July 20. ‘The White Rhino’ Allen (17-5-2, 14 KOs) suffered an eye injury in his 10th round stoppage loss to the 2008 Olympic bronze medalist Price (25-6, 20 KOs) in that fight, and he hinted afterwards that he would retire.
Allen said, “now probably done” after the loss on social media. Price controlled the fight with his jab, and powerful right hands that he nailed Allen with all night long. When Allen crowded Price, he was hit with huge uppercuts in close. The shots from Price did a lot of damage to Allen by the 10th round. It was a wise move for Allen’s trainer Darren Barker to stop the contest after round 10. Allen’s right eye was badly swollen, and he looked beaten.
Allen: “I’ll prove everyone wrong again”
“I’ve been at a lower ebb than this – I’ve had worse defeats, and harder defeats,” said Allen to skysports.com. “So, I’ll prove everyone wrong again. I expected a David Price who pawed with the left hand and got tired after three rounds. But I got a hard jab to the face and, after seven rounds, he got stronger.”
It was a big step up in class for the 27-year-old Allen to be fighting a talented guy like the 6’8″ Price. Even though Price had been knocked out six times since 2012, and was still incredibly talented. Price showed that he’s still a major puncher despite having problems with his chin in the last seven years.
It’s going to be difficult for Allen, 27, to go far in the sport without careful match-making by his promoter Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing. Allen lacks the hand speed, power and overall talent to beat the top level heavyweights in the division. His loss to the 36-year-old Price showed his limits as a fighter.
Price’s conditioning impressed Allen
“He was well-conditioned – we had never seen him do 10 rounds at a decent pace. He used a jab for the first time in goodness knows how long,” said Allen.
Price worked harder than ever on his conditioning for the fight, and looked trim and toned for the fight. It’s unclear what Price did differently for this training camp than he had in the last seven years, but he fought like he used to many years ago. The conditioning was the key to Price’s victory. Further, Price fought smart for a change, using his jab, and boxing instead of trying punch it out.