Dave Allen, Keyshawn Davis and a busy boxing weekend: 5 things to watch

No one can claim Dave Allen is scared of a good challenge.

(Mark Robinson via Getty Images)

Allen told the BBC this week that his promoter, Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn, texted him while he was on holiday simply asking whether he would prefer to fight Hrgovic or Zhilei Zhang. A real Sophie’s Choice for Allen, who opted against Zhang, who he describes as the “biggest puncher in the division,” and accepted former Olympic bronze medalist Hrgovic, whose only career loss has come at the hands of Daniel Dubois.

It’s another huge task for Allen. And perhaps a poetic one. He’s fighting on home soil inside Doncaster’s Keepmoat Stadium in what could well turn out to be one of the final chapters of his bizarre boxing story.

2. Davis and Albright run it back in Norfolk

Top Rank are diving head-first into DAZN waters for the first time this weekend, offering up a curious, if not pulsating rematch between Keyshawn Davis and Nahir Albright.

If you don’t remember what happened between these two back in 2023, here’s a quick explainer in under 100 characters: Keyshawn Davis was seemingly high as a kite and fumbled his way to a shoddy majority decision win.

That decision was sharply overturned to a no-contest after Davis tested positive for marijuana and question marks over how seriously he was taking his career hung heavy over his head.

But we don’t judge over here at Uncrowned. Work is hard and sometimes you need that little something to take the edge off (he writes, swirling a second red wine of the evening).

Davis has notched up nothing but wins since, but losing his world title on the scales and finding himself in the middle of a backstage brawl with Saturday’s opponent, Albright, have added fuel to the complex fire that surrounds Davis’ career.

A convincing win in Davis’ hometown of Norfolk, Virginia on Saturday will go some way in repairing the damage caused, but the U.S. Olympic silver medalist is going to have to find a way of keeping himself out of the headlines for the wrong reasons if he is to reach his potential.

3. Donovan looks to put Crocker behind him in Germany

Paddy Donovan had the world at his feet until walking straight into Lewis Crocker.

The flashy Irishman lost to Crocker via disqualification and split decision over two controversial fights in 2025, stunting his growth in the talented and lucrative welterweight division.

So, instead of keeping things simple on Matchroom cards, Donovan has been forced to take a risk on foreign soil this Friday night, traveling to Mannheim, Germany to fight Karen Chukhadzhian in an IBF title eliminator.

Chukhadzhian — famed for two losses against Jaron “Boots” Ennis — is on a two-fight win streak at 147 pounds and is well travelled at age 30, but is nonetheless faced with a slippery operator in Donovan inside the SAP Arena.

Donovan has admitted it’s “sink or swim” against the favorite Chukhadzhian. But a win will get him back in line for a world title shot, facing the winner of the Australian-staged fight of Liam Paro vs. … guess who? Lewis Crocker.

Paddy Donovan finds himself in dire need of a win this weekend against Karen Chukhadzhian.

(Ramsey Cardy via Getty Images)

4. Gonzalez refuses to give up on his world title dreams

Speaking of fighters determined to win world titles, Israel Gonzalez is attempting to force his way into a fifth world title opportunity this weekend.

The 29-year-old Mexican is 31-5-2 (12 KOs) in a checkered career that has seen him lose on the biggest stage to the likes of Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez, Roman Gonzalez, Kal Yafai and Jerwin Ancajas — all for versions of the flyweight or super flyweight world championships.

He’s back in action in Los Cabos, Mexico this Saturday night, taking on Armando Appel Garcia for the WBC silver title at super flyweight.

A win will boost “Jiga’s” standing in the WBC’s rankings — along with his lofty positions with both the WBA and WBO — and could see the shopworn contender try his hand at a fifth shot at world honors.

5. WBC strawweight title is on the line in South Africa

We have a hardcore boxing fan’s dream on Saturday, as we head to Kempton Park, South Africa for a rematch for the WBC title at strawweight.

Now, if you are planning to cancel any family plans to watch this 105-pound contest between champion Melvin Jerusalem and challenger Siyakholwa Kuse, perhaps don’t lead with the fact that you can find Irish wolfhounds that weigh more than these pint-sized punchers. Just explain that it’s a world title fight, and a cracker at that!

Both men have three defeats on their records — pretty common down in the lower weight classes — but that’s all they have in common.

Jerusalem is 10 years the senior of the southpaw South African challenger and finds himself in a rematch with Kuse after a controversial loss last October. Jerusalem was well below his best in retaining his WBC title in Quezon City, Philippines, yet still was handed favorable scorecards against Kuse in an entertaining 12-round scrap.

Jerusalem’s potential unification bout with Oscar Collazo fell out the bed, so why not give Kuse — and the fans — what they want in this excellent rematch?