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I had an interview with HW prospect David Allen the other day. Here is my article on him. He has sparred Anthony Joshua, Frazier Clarke and Joe Joyce in the past. Anyway, enjoy.
December 8th is shaping up to be a great night of boxing. Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom are promoting a ‘Christmas Cracker’ bill, with Lee Purdy taking on Kell Brook victim Carlson Jones, while Gavin Rees battles John Murray. The exciting card also features Darren Barker vs Kerry Hope, John Ryder, Khalid Yafai, and Erick Ochieng. Just a few hours later across the Atlantic, the final chapter of the Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez rivalry will be written in the MGM Grand Las Vegas, with the pair meeting for the fourth time. The packed bill features Super Featherweight sensation Yuriorkis Gamboa, as well as Lightweight Miguel Vazquez.
So it can be forgiven that Denis Hobson’s ‘Hobson’s Explosion’ event, which falls on the same night, hasn’t created much buzz around the mainstream boxing media. The card, set for Sheffield’s Don Valley Stadium, plays hosts to a string of prospects, notably David Allen, the Doncaster Heavyweight who will be making his professional debut.
‘I had my first amateur fight just before my 18th birthday’ Allen recalled. ‘I won four regional titles, and won the National CYP Title in just my 8th fight. I then lost in the quarter final of the ABAs by just two points against two time champion Simon Barclay.’
Despite having an assessment with the Great Britain Amateur squad, and having sparred over 40 rounds with Olympic Gold Medalist Anthony Joshua in the run up to 2012 Games, Allen was lured into the professional game by Hobson, someone who the Doncaster man speaks highly of.
‘I like Denis, he’s a laugh’ he said. ‘But it’s proven what he can do for fighters, and hopefully I’ll be the next one that comes through.’
‘I always wanted to go pro’ he continued. ‘When the GB team turned up I was hopeful of getting on the team, but with the likes of Big Josh and Frazier Clarke, I knew it wasn’t likely. With my pro style, I thought it would be best to turn over.’
Helping Allen along the way will be trainer Kevin Sanders, who worked alongside British great Nigel Benn, and who currently trains Bantamweight Jamie McDonnell. ‘Kevin has me running four miles a day. I come in the gym and we do 12 hard rounds on the pads, sparring and the speedball.’
At 6ft 3 and weighing around the 16 stone mark, some believe Allen should target the Cruiserweight division, but the prospect sees his future firmly in the Heavyweight ranks.
‘I couldn’t make Cruiser’ he said. ‘It’s about being comfortable. I feel stronger at the weight. I knocked down 9 out of my 10 opponents in the amateurs, so I have the power to go with my exciting style.’
Talking of his future aspirations, Allen has targeted world honours. ‘I want to be a world champion. If you don’t want to be a world champion then why do it? I’m only young and will take one fight at a time, but that’s my ambition.’
Allen, who makes his debut on December 8th, has promised as explosive start. ‘Come and watch’ he grinned. ‘I’m hoping it’s not going to last very long, but it’ll be fun while it lasts. But I will win, and win by knockout. I expect nothing less.’
The future certainly looks a bright one for the Doncaster prospect. With his all action, hard hitting style, he is likely to be a hit with the fans. With Hobson and Sanders by his side, the journey looks to be an exciting one.
December 8th is shaping up to be a great night of boxing. Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom are promoting a ‘Christmas Cracker’ bill, with Lee Purdy taking on Kell Brook victim Carlson Jones, while Gavin Rees battles John Murray. The exciting card also features Darren Barker vs Kerry Hope, John Ryder, Khalid Yafai, and Erick Ochieng. Just a few hours later across the Atlantic, the final chapter of the Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez rivalry will be written in the MGM Grand Las Vegas, with the pair meeting for the fourth time. The packed bill features Super Featherweight sensation Yuriorkis Gamboa, as well as Lightweight Miguel Vazquez.
So it can be forgiven that Denis Hobson’s ‘Hobson’s Explosion’ event, which falls on the same night, hasn’t created much buzz around the mainstream boxing media. The card, set for Sheffield’s Don Valley Stadium, plays hosts to a string of prospects, notably David Allen, the Doncaster Heavyweight who will be making his professional debut.
‘I had my first amateur fight just before my 18th birthday’ Allen recalled. ‘I won four regional titles, and won the National CYP Title in just my 8th fight. I then lost in the quarter final of the ABAs by just two points against two time champion Simon Barclay.’
Despite having an assessment with the Great Britain Amateur squad, and having sparred over 40 rounds with Olympic Gold Medalist Anthony Joshua in the run up to 2012 Games, Allen was lured into the professional game by Hobson, someone who the Doncaster man speaks highly of.
‘I like Denis, he’s a laugh’ he said. ‘But it’s proven what he can do for fighters, and hopefully I’ll be the next one that comes through.’
‘I always wanted to go pro’ he continued. ‘When the GB team turned up I was hopeful of getting on the team, but with the likes of Big Josh and Frazier Clarke, I knew it wasn’t likely. With my pro style, I thought it would be best to turn over.’
Helping Allen along the way will be trainer Kevin Sanders, who worked alongside British great Nigel Benn, and who currently trains Bantamweight Jamie McDonnell. ‘Kevin has me running four miles a day. I come in the gym and we do 12 hard rounds on the pads, sparring and the speedball.’
At 6ft 3 and weighing around the 16 stone mark, some believe Allen should target the Cruiserweight division, but the prospect sees his future firmly in the Heavyweight ranks.
‘I couldn’t make Cruiser’ he said. ‘It’s about being comfortable. I feel stronger at the weight. I knocked down 9 out of my 10 opponents in the amateurs, so I have the power to go with my exciting style.’
Talking of his future aspirations, Allen has targeted world honours. ‘I want to be a world champion. If you don’t want to be a world champion then why do it? I’m only young and will take one fight at a time, but that’s my ambition.’
Allen, who makes his debut on December 8th, has promised as explosive start. ‘Come and watch’ he grinned. ‘I’m hoping it’s not going to last very long, but it’ll be fun while it lasts. But I will win, and win by knockout. I expect nothing less.’
The future certainly looks a bright one for the Doncaster prospect. With his all action, hard hitting style, he is likely to be a hit with the fans. With Hobson and Sanders by his side, the journey looks to be an exciting one.
