Dave Vs Goliath In Doncaster

Doncaster’s own Dave Allen takes centre stage on Saturday, 16 May as he returns home to headline at Doncaster Rovers’ Eco-Power Stadium against top heavyweight contender Filip Hrgovic, live on DAZN.

‘The White Rhino’, one of Britain’s most popular heavyweights, is enjoying a career resurgence and now faces the biggest test of his career on familiar ground in front of a passionate home crowd in South Yorkshire.

Tickets for ‘Dave vs Goliath’ on Saturday, 16 May at Doncaster Rovers’ Eco-Power Stadium go on sale at 12pm on Tuesday, 31 March available from: doncasterroversfc.co.uk.

Allen’s revival has been driven by his compelling two-fight rivalry with Johnny Fisher, which saw him claim the WBA Intercontinental title. After suffering a controversial points defeat in their first meeting in Riyadh at the end of 2024, the 34-year-old emphatically settled the score five months later, stopping Fisher in the fifth round at the Copper Box Arena.

That momentum led Allen into a high-level clash with the formidable Arslanbek Makhmudov in Sheffield, where he pushed the towering Russian over 12 rounds before coming up short on the cards. He bounced back in explosive fashion in February, needing less than a minute to dispatch Karim Berredjem in Nottingham.

Remarkably, despite a 35-fight career, Allen has fought in his hometown of Doncaster only once before, back in 2015. Now, he returns as the headline attraction at the home of Doncaster Rovers for what promises to be a landmark night.

Standing in his way is the dangerous Hrgovic, a former world title challenger who arrives in strong form. The Croatian, known as ‘El Animal’, secured back-to-back wins over Joe Joyce and David Adeleye to collect the WBO International and WBA Continental titles respectively.

The 33-year-old from Zagreb had previously been on the brink of an IBF world title opportunity before falling to Daniel Dubois in an interim title fight in 2024, with Dubois later upgraded to full champion following his victory over Anthony Joshua.

Hrgovic’s clash with Allen will mark his fourth successive bout against British opposition, underlining the scale of the challenge facing the Doncaster favourite.

“May 16 will be a magical experience for Dave Allen,” said promoter Frank Warren. “He is taking on a world-class operator in Filip Hrgovic, but he gets to do it on his own doorstep at Doncaster Rovers.

“This will be a huge occasion for the city of Doncaster and for the fans who have backed Dave throughout his career.

“Filip has got into a habit of beating British heavyweights, so this really is a ‘Dave vs Goliath’ battle.”

“This is everything I’ve wanted,” Allen added. “A big fight, at home, in front of my own people. Nights like this don’t come around often, and I’m not letting it pass me by. I know how tough Hrgovic is, but I believe in myself and I’ll be ready to give Doncaster a night to remember.”

Tickets for ‘Dave vs Goliath’ on Saturday, 16 May at Doncaster Rovers’ Eco-Power Stadium go on sale at 12pm on Tuesday, 31 March available from: doncasterroversfc.co.uk.

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