DAVE ALLEN suffered a punishing loss to bear-wrestling Russian giant Arslanbek Makhmudov.
Despite having two points deducted for holding, the with judges scores of 115-111, 116-110 and 117-109.
Dave Allen suffered a punishing loss to Russian giant Arslanbek Makhmudov
Makhmudov won almost every round of the bout
’s very first punch was almost his only one, as a 15-second left hook staggered the 36-year-old.
Makhmudov was monstrous, though, ploughing forward and his giant right fist at the Englishman’s handsome face.
Allen, 33, seemed happy to soak up the early pressure and test Makhmudov’s engine in the back half of the fight.
But he landed a horribly low blow in the second round and Makhmudov needed time to recover from the assault on his groin.
And then the Yorkshireman was buzzed by a vicious left hook that worried the roaring crowd.
But a third-round left hook brushed the visitor’s bushy beard and got the fans clapping and cheering again.
Allen’s tight guard was pierced by a crunching right hand in the fourth but he continued marching forward and slashing hooks into the giant’s ribs.
And the Brit landed two excellent right uppercuts in the fifth that snapped Makhmudov’s head backwards.
Allen took too much punishment in the seventh, walking greedily onto combinations from the Canada-based hulk, who was finally docked a point in the seventh for constant holding.
Makhmudov had his gumshield knocked out of his mouth at the start of the ninth, with a right hand.
And Allen landed another peach moments later that got Makhmudov staggering and stumbling across the ring and needing the bell to save him.
Before the eleventh started, ringside pundit screamed “Dave, he is f***ed, you have got to take him out”.
But Allen was exhausted too and could not muster up the engine for one life-changing attack.
Before the final round, Allen told trainer Jamie Moore “I have taken too many” and he was right about the steady battering he had taken.
Makhmudov lost another point in the final minute for holding but he had won almost every round.
He then targeted next, saying: “Anthony Joshua, I call for you brother, where are you?
“I have got his word on that we will fight next year. I am ready for you Anthony.”
After cuddling his conqueror, Allen said: “He is the scariest looking man I have ever seen but he is a sweetheart.
“The top and bottom is I am not good enough, simple as that. He was too big and too good. It’s a bitter pill to swallow but it’s OK.
“I nearly cried because of the crowd, I had to choke it back. I am not finished.
“I have never been hit or hurt like that in my life. He had me hurt about five times and Jamie wanted to pull me out. But I am a tough man, I have never been down.
“I am not finished, I am not finished. I am not the best but these fans make me feel like I am the best.”
