Dave Allen vs. Filip Hrgović press conference quotes and fight prediction

Dave Allen (25-8-2, 20 KOs) will soon take on Filip Hrgović (19-1, 14 KOs) in a 10-round heavyweight contest.

Their bout headlines a Queensberry Promotions card – in association with Matchroom Boxing – at the Eco-Power Stadium in Doncaster, England. Fight fans around the world can catch the action live on DAZN.

Both men spoke at a press conference ahead of their May 16 clash. Below is some of what they had to say.

Dave Allen vs. Filip Hrgović press conference quotes

Dave Allen

“I expect a Filip Hrgović at 70 per cent,” said Allen. “He promised me 70 per cent. He looks quite well. He looks sharp today in his jacket. I trained very hard. You have to. I’m boxing one of the best heavyweights in the world. I think he’s rated five with The Ring magazine. I think I’m rated 62 which is not bad, really. Sixty-two is quite good. It’s not as good as five, though. Filip Hrgović loses to me, it’s game over for him. He’s done. He’s finished. You can’t lose to me. I’m here with no pressure on me at all…”

“Probably [ends] on points, I imagine. He’s a very tough guy as am I. It’s a 10-round contest. I think it’ll probably go the distance. I’m not here to talk negatively on Filip. It’d be difficult and foolish of me to do so. I think we’ll go 12 rounds [sic], but I think you’ll see a punch output from myself that we haven’t seen before and a different desire as well. I plan on making Filip work from round one all the way to round 10, but I don’t particularly envision the fight going early.”

Filip Hrgović

“Of course, [a] loss will put me in [a] terrible position,” said Hrgović. “I can’t lose…He’s British, he’s famous, people love him. I don’t know why. Just joking, man. [It’s a] chance for him. Chance of his life and [he’ll probably be at the best we’ve ever seen from him] and he’ll try everything to win. I’ll do my best to win as well. It will be good fight.”

“We’ll see [how the fight ends]. I don’t know. I have big power to knock him out, but also, he’s durable. He has a good chin. So it might go to scorecard. Anyway, I will win on Saturday.”

Fight prediction

From Big Fight Weekend’s Ricky Carroll: Allen is loved by much of the British boxing public with his honest, straight-talking and brave fighting style. Known as a brawler for much of his professional career, he has improved his conditioning and ability to pick his punches. Allen also carries plenty of power, most noticeably with his left hook and overhand right.

Hrgović was a talented amateur who looked at his best when he controlled the distance in his fights and punches long. He does seem to switch off at times in his fights, but does seemingly get a second wind, as he proved in the recent fights against Joe Joyce and David Adeleye.

Looking at the attributes of both, we are backing Hrgović to win by unanimous decision. We expect Allen to have his moments, but the experience and ring IQ of Hrgović should be enough for him to get the victory.

Full press conference

For the press conference in its entirety, click here or the play button below. Video courtesy of Queensberry Promotions.

Dave Allen vs. Filip Hrgović full fight card

• Dave Allen vs. Filip Hrgović, 10 rounds, heavyweights
• Louie O’Doherty vs. Ahmed Hatim, 12 rounds, for O’Doherty’s British and vacant Commonwealth lightweight titles
• Michael Gomez Jr. vs. Lee McGregor, 10 rounds, lightweights
• Carl Fail vs. Dean Sutherland, 8 or 10 rounds, super welterweights
• Asadkhuja Muydinkhujaev vs. TBA, 6 rounds, welterweights
• Bradley Casey vs. TBA, 6 rounds, cruiserweights
• Joe Hayden vs. Ryan Frost, 6 rounds, welterweights
• Ted Jackson vs. Mike Byles, 6 rounds, middleweights
• Leighton Birchall vs. Leonardo Baez, 4 rounds, featherweights
• John Tom Varey vs. Stephen Jackson, 4 rounds, super flyweights
• Kian Hamilton vs. Les Urry, 4 rounds, super welterweights