‘Try and punch his f—ing head in’: Dave Allen on Hrgovic and feeling no pressure as underdog

NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: Dave Allen celebrates after victory against Karim Berredjem in the Heavyweight fight during the Last Man Standing: Leigh Wood v Josh Warrington fight night at Motorpoint Arena Nottingham on February 21, 2026 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Dave Allen has another chance at a big fight on Saturday, as he’ll face Filip Hrgovic in a main event from Doncaster’s Eco-Power Stadium, live on DAZN.

The 34-year-old Allen (25-8-2, 20 KO) is coming off of a clear loss to Arslanbek Makhmudov last October, though he has taken a tune-up fight since then, a February bout that lasted all of 57 seconds against an overmatched Karim Berredjem in Nottingham.

The likable and popular “White Rhino” will be a huge underdog against Croatia’s Hrgovic (19-1, 14 KO), and he told the DAZN crew after today’s press conference that he doesn’t think anyone expects him to win on Saturday, but he also feels no pressure because of that.

“No one thinks I’m gonna beat him, and I know that,” Allen said. “All these people here, all my mates and that, I know they want me to win, but they don’t think I’m going to win.

“This is a shot for nothing. They’re paying me a fortune to sell the tickets. I’ve done me job. I’ll turn up now, try me best — I don’t feel any pressure.

“I’m that kind of guy, I’m one of life’s losers that ends up winning. So what have I got to lose? I ain’t got nothing to lose. I’m gonna try and punch his f—ing head in, and that’s a fact. So that’s the thing, yeah? It is what it is, isn’t it?

Hrgovic, 33, is coming off of wins over Joe Joyce and David Adeleye in 2025, and will look to make it three straight wins over British heavyweights after being stopped by Daniel Dubois in 2024.