Dave Allen says he’s going to “frustrate” Arslanbek Makhmudov, make it tough for him to land, and beat him on points in their heavyweight clash this Saturday, October 11, live on DAZN.
Allen (24-7-2, 19 KOs) states that he picked the 6’5 1/2″ Russian Makhmudov (20-2, 19 KOs) out of a list of fighters because he believes his style “suited” him. He likes the way Makhmudov comes forward nonstop, and he says that’s made for him.
Allen vs. Makhmudov will headline this Saturday on DAZN from the Sheffield Arena in Sheffield, England. The main card broadcasts starting at 2:00 p.m. ET / 11:00 p.m. PT.
Allen’s Confidence Surges After Fisher Win
Analyst View: Johnny Fisher wasn’t at the same level as Makhmudov is fighting at.
The Matchroom-promoted Allen, 33, has taken a lot of confidence from his recent fifth-round knockout win over Johnny Fisher on May 17, 2025.
Before that fight, Allen was viewed as a regular regional British-level fighter long past retirement. That one win has made him and his promoter, Eddie Hearn, think big. Allen is taking advantage of that one win to get a big payday against Makhmudov, a fighter who is clearly out of his class.
Instead of them realizing how poor a fighter Fisher was, Allen, his promoter, believes that they can mix it with the fringe-level heavyweight Makhmudov and use him as a stepping stone to get a big payday fight against Deontay Wilder.
Makhmudov Warns: “Two Different Boxers”
Insider Take: Translation — What Makhmudov appears to mean by saying it’s “too different boxers” is that he’s a level above Dave Allen in talent, experience, and amateur pedigree. He’s seen it all while living in Russia, facing high-level fighters who are far more skilled and tough than Allen.
“It’s too different boxers. We’ll see who is better,” said Arslanbek Makhmudov during Thursday’s final press conference ahead of his fight against Dave Allen this Saturday, October 11.
This is a big step down in class for Makhmudov to be fighting Allen. Makhmudov’s last opponent, Ricardo Brown (12-1, 11 KOs), is more of Dave Allen’s, and he destroyed the American by a first-round knockout earlier this year on June 27th.
“I did pick him. I had a list of fighters. Arslanbek is a ferocious puncher; he’s strong,” said Dave Allen. “I don’t worry about strength or power. He only knows one way. He only knows how to fight. I’m not saying he can’t box. He’ll come out the same way [Johnny] Fisher tried to.”
What has given Allen confidence is how Makhmudov crumbled against the body puncher Agit Kabayel in his fourth-round knockout loss on December 23, 2023. That was a much better fighter than Allen is, and could ever hope to be. Kabayel took a lot of hard punches from Makhmudov before getting that stoppage. It wasn’t an easy win by any means for Agit.
The Plan: Frustrate, Move, and Outpoint
Tactical Breakdown: Allen to use his footwork to make it difficult for Makhmudov to land.
“He’s going to struggle to hit me. He’s probably going to get a bit frustrated. He’s going to come at me and give me a go. I always said no one can beat me when they come at me and give me a go,” said Allen.
Dave is being a bit absent-minded when he says no one can beat him when they come at him. These fighters came straight at Dave Allen and forced a stoppage by out-punching him:
- Frazer Clarke
- Luis Ortiz
- Tony Yoka
- David Price
“He’s Made for Me” — Allen’s Claim
Olly’s Viewpoint: This is a common remark fighters say before they wind up losing to a superior talent. Allen sounds like he’s just blowing smoke, trying to pump himself up.
“I think his style suits me. I’ve never beat a fighter as good as him,” said Allen about Makhmudov. “I think he’s made for me, I really do. The way he walks in, throwing punches, I welcome that. I think I win on points.”
Arslanbek is a potential nightmare for Allen, and it’s interesting to hear Dave downplay the threat that he brings to this fight on Saturday night. The amateur pedigree alone for the Russian Makhmudov is enough of a reason to indicate how far out of Allen’s league he is in this fight.
The mistake Allen is making is assuming he beat Johnny Fisher, a British-level fighter with no real ability, and that he can do the same with Arslanbek. We’re going to find out how wrong he is on Saturday.
