Dave Allen vows to frustrate Arslanbek Mahmudov on Saturday

Dave Allen says he will “Frustrated” Arslanbek Mahmudov, it is difficult for him to fall, and he defeats him on points in the heavyweight confrontation on Saturday, October 11, Live on DAZN.

Allen (24-7-2, 19 KO) said he selected the 6’5 1/2 Russian Makhmudov (20-2, 19 KO) from his roster of fighters because he believes his style “suits him.” He likes the way Mahmudov moves forward without stopping, and says it was made for him.

Allen vs. Makhmudov will be the headliner on Saturday On DAZN From Sheffield Arena in Sheffield, England. The main card airs at 2:00 PM ET/11:00 PM PT.

Allen’s confidence soared after Fisher’s win

Analyst view: Johnny Fisher was not at the same level as he was fighting Makhmudov.

Allen, 33, who was promoted to the Match Room, has gained a lot of confidence following his recent fifth-round knockout win over Johnny Fisher on May 17, 2025.

Prior to that fight, Allen was viewed as a regular regional fighter at British level long after retirement. This win made him and his promoter Eddie Hearn think big. Allen is using this win to get a big payout against Mahmudov, a fighter who is clearly out of his class.

Instead of realizing how poor a fighter Fisher is, Allen, his promoter, thinks they can mix him with heavyweight Makhmudov at the fringe level and use him as a springboard for a big payday fight against Deontay Wilder.

Khamudov warns: “Two different boxers”

Take inside: Translation – What Makhmudov seems to mean by saying “the two boxers are very different” is that he is above Dave Allen’s level in talent, experience and amateur pedigree. He saw it all while living in Russia, where he faced high-level fighters far more skilled and powerful than Allen.

“It is completely different for boxers,” Arslanbek Mahmudov said during the match held on Thursday. “We will see who is better.” Final press conference Ahead of his fight against Dave Allen on Saturday, October 11.

This is a big step down in class for Makhmudov to fight Allin. Makhmudov’s latest challenger, Ricardo Brown (12-1, 11 KO), is a closer to Dave Allen, and he destroyed the American by first-round knockout earlier this year on June 27.

“I picked him. I had a list of fighters. Arslanbek is an aggressive player, and he’s tough,” Dave Allen said. “I don’t worry about power or authority. He only knows one way. He just knows how to fight. I’m not saying he can’t box. He’ll come out the same way (Johnny) Fisher tried.”

What gave Allen confidence was the way Makhmudov collapsed against boxer Ajit Kapil in his fourth-round knockout loss on December 23, 2023. That was a much better fighter than Allen, and he could hope to be. Kabayel took a lot of hard punches from Mahmudov before getting that knockout. The win was by no means easy for Agit.

The plan: thwart, move, and direct

Tactical breakdown: Allen used his movement to make it difficult for Khamudov to land.

“He’s going to have a hard time beating me. He’s probably going to get a little frustrated. He’s going to come at me and give me a chance. I’ve always said no one can beat me when they come at me and give me a chance,” Allen said.

Dave was a bit absent-minded when he said that no one could hit him when he got close. These fighters came straight at Dave Allen and forced him to stop by punching him:

• Fraser Clark
• Luis Ortiz
• Tony Yoka
• David Price

“It was made for me” – Allen’s claim

Initial point of view: This is a common remark that fighters make before they end up losing to a superior talent. Allen looks like he’s blowing smoke and trying to pump himself up.

“I think his style suits me. I’ve never beaten a good fighter like him,” Allen said of Mahmudov. “I think he was made for me, I really do. The way he comes in, throws punches, I welcome that. I think I will win the points.”

Arslanbek is a potential nightmare for Allen, and it’s interesting to hear Dave downplay the threat he brings to this fight on Saturday night. For Russian Makhmudov, the amateur pedigree alone is reason enough to point out how far out of Allen’s league he is in this fight.

The mistake Allen makes is assuming that he has beaten Johnny Fisher, a British level fighter with no real ability, and that he can do the same with Arslanbek. We’ll find out how wrong he was on Saturday.