Inside Dave Allen – the self-deprecating heavyweight who still believes

Inside Dave Allen, he of the self-deprecation and tales of humility, regret and over hand right, lives a capable heavyweight. One of much greater boxing acumen than his lack of preparation invariably exposes to the watching public. Much of his enduring box-office appeal is founded on whimsical charisma, improbable durability and, well, man-child Yorkshireness. An area of England known for its grit, community and truculence.

Heavyweight Allen tries to prove he has something left

Dave Allen has boxing upbringing

The son of a professional fighter, Allen has grown up in the shadows of a punch bag. He has seen all that the sport can offer and steal away, the broken promises, the sweat, tears, success, the failures, the damage and the indifference of everything in between.

This weekend a refined, physically prepared incarnation of Dave Allen the fighter, tackles the man mountain Arslanbek Makhmudov at the Sheffield Arena over 12 rounds. It won’t be the first time the Doncaster born slugger has flirted with an opportunity to catapult himself from the comedy fringes toward more significant opponents, but it may be the first time he’s appropriately prepared.

After all, in a winding career in which questions about his readiness for battle were as preeminent in his interviews as any tactical considerations, Allen has boxed Luis Ortiz, David Price, Tony Yoka, Dillian Whyte and Lucas Browne. Travelling several rounds with all in his own pugnacious style. His prospects often undermined by distraction and apathy. Too often despite rather than because, too often brave and too often punished for his foolhardiness.

There is a wider sense his climb to the bill top, aged 33, reflects his enduring popularity and the ease with which people relate to his personality and adopted role as the eternally plucky underdog rather than his ability. There is also the sense that his place as the main attraction reflects on the decline in the British scene in terms of vibrant shows and world class fighters.

The advent of British led cards in Saudi Arabia has certainly diluted the domestic schedule significantly. When Dave Allen first boxed professionally at the Sheffield Arena in 2013, he was buried deep on a card that featured, Amir Khan, Deontay Wilder, Audley Harrison, a debuting Anthony Ogogo and future world champion Jack Catterall.

Allen’s record doesn’t tell whole story

His 24-7 (19 KOs) slate is not a customary one to lead an event, although fellow crowd pleaser Derek Chisora has long demonstrated that defeats needn’t exclude entertaining fighters.

Allen’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, enjoyed revealing that of the list of potential opponents Matchroom had suggested, Makhmudov was the one considered the most frightening. And entirely the reason he was selected. Dave Allen self-awareness developed enough to know he needed the motivation of fear to summon the discipline to win a fight of this significance.

Images of his training camp with Jamie Moore show a trim version of Allen with the added benefits of speed, confidence and fitness. Despite disadvantages of height, reach and possibly power, if Allen hasn’t lost resistance – and there have been fears of that in the aftermath of previous defeats, he could prevail. The 6 foot 6 Russian is imposing, powerful and in need of a win himself. But he is not an up-and-coming prospect at 36 and has proven to be one dimensional under pressure.

Incredulous as it seems when viewing the match up from afar. Dave Allen can win this fight.

Because inside Dave Allen there lives a decent heavyweight desperate to get out.