FORGET Anthony Joshua or Tyson Fury, Britain’s most famous boxer is arguably… Dave Allen.
Heavyweight rivals and may have landed multiple world titles and amassed a combined 400million fortune between them.
Dave Allen is one of Britain’s most beloved boxers Credit: Getty
Allen hit more than 16 million views after sticking a sock down his pants at a weigh-in Credit: PA:Press Association
But Doncaster ace , 34, can boast of having 16MILLION views on a single YouTube clip watched around the planet.
That was the moment he decided to stuff socks down his pants at the weigh-in for his 2017 fight against Dave Howe.
The stunt made him a pin-up in Yorkshire and a gay icon in South America.
And it still brings a big smile to his face as he prepares for a hometown show against Filip Hrgovic tonight.
Allen told SunSport: “It was my mate Monty’s idea. I told him it was really childish… and a great idea.
“That was the first time really where I started, then I got the idea that I could become the guy in who is like a viral sensation.
“I could be that guy because I’m that kind of fella, still am, I guess – childish, a bit funny, a bit of a Jack-the-lad.
“It was who I was. Up to that point I was trying to hide it a little bit, but then I got the go-ahead to be myself.”
Dave Allen faces Filip Hrgovic tonight Credit: Alamy
Dave Allen is in top shape for his fight tonight Credit: Alamy
Banter aside, the stunt propelled Allen to fame in the most unlikely places.
He adds: “I only really hit the South American market.
“But any admirers are welcome. If anyone fancies me, I’m over the moon, I’m happy with that.
“I’m a housewives’ favourite apparently, I don’t know how true that is, but that’s the rumour on the street.
“South American men and Doncaster housewives.”
Incredibly, it ultimately led to Allen meeting his now-wife.
He says: “I receive about 20 message requests a day now, just off boxing fans really, just asking any kind of question.
“I used to ring people, I used to get people to send me their phone number and I’d ring random people.
“That’s how I met the mother of my kids actually.
The Home of Boxing in 2026
There's a massive year of boxing ahead!
It’s shaping up to be a blockbuster year of action inside the boxing ring.
takes on the king of kickboxing Rico Verhoeven and Fabio Wardley will defend his newly won heavyweight crown against fellow Brit .
returns to the ring in July to face Kristian Prenga ahead of a potential blockbuster bout against Tyson Fury later in the year.
will be hoping to make a comeback after his defeat to Terence Crawford, while Dave Allen will also be looking to get back to winning ways against Filip Hrgovic.
A whole bunch of British stars could also take a leap into superstardom, with the likes of , Hamzah Sheeraz and Adam Azim ready to join the very top of the sport.
May
- Sat 16 – Dave Allen vs Filip Hrgovic – DAZN
- Sat 23 – Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven – WBC title – DAZN
June
- Sat 6 – Fame Fighting v Misfits Boxing – The Sun
- Sat 6 – Dalton Smith vs Alberto Puello – WBC super lightweight title – DAZN
- Sat 13 – Tommy Fury vs Eddie Hall – DAZN
- Sat 20 – Ryan Garner vs Michael Magnesi – DAZN
- Sat 27 – Xander Zayas vs Jaron Ennis – DAZN
July
- Sat 25 – Anthony Joshua vs Kristian Prenga – DAZN
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“Some fella was having a hard time and he asked me if I could give him a ring and cheer him up.
“I did and he shared the post, my kid’s mum saw it, she followed me and I messaged her.
“Now we have two kids together, that’s the power of social media.”
It’s not all been love and larks for the White Rhino, Allen’s early life was tough.
He admits: “I was very up and down.
“I had an interesting childhood, I had an up and down relationship with my dad, he was a bit of a mad one.
“Most of my 20s were up and down, I was gambling a lot, self-harming. It was a mad time really.
“It’s hard to recognise that person now because I’m so far removed from it.
“I still have some bad days and that, but I’ve got my kids now and, as long as I see them, nothing can ruin my day.
Allen looks to win tonight to land himself a bigger fight Credit: PA
Dave Allen last headlined against Arslanbek Makhmudov Credit: Getty
“I’m happy now, content with myself and how my life has gone.
“I did most of the bad things to myself, I was probably the biggest problem over the years, but I had a lot of great help from my family and we’re through it now.”
Some boxing fans are annoyed that Allen keeps getting big-money fights when he has openly admitted to not training as hard as he should.
Allen has suffered eight punishing losses including defeats by , Luis Ortiz and David Price.
But he retains the sort of pulling power some undefeated world champions would dream of.
Allen says: “I ain’t changed. I’ve been the same scumbag I’ve always been, and that’s the truth. I’m not an angel.
“I’ve never once said I’m an angel. I’m a decent fella, I’m alright, but I’m also a bit of a sbag as well. “I’m an average bloke really. I’m not a fake.
“I think people watch me on the internet and think ‘fing hell, he reminds me of my mate so and so, a big fat c’.
“Everyone’s got a big fat mate who’s a bit of a comedian, so that’s just me and some people don’t like it, but I don’t give a f either.”
When we ask why he’s been seen as a waste of talent, he hilariously says: “Mainly because I’m lazy, but I’ve never shied away from it.
“I’m a fat lazy c*** most of the time. What do you want me to say?
“I’ve never lied about it. That’s not an excuse.
“If I got beat, I was not fing good enough. “What the f do you want from me? Give me an easier fight then, you d.”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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