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Dave Allen vs. Arslanbek Makhmudov full card results as Russian heavyweight battles to clear UD win

Dom Farrell

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Dave Allen vs. Arslanbek Makhmudov full card results as Russian heavyweight battles to clear UD win image

Matchroom Boxing/Mark Robinson

Arslanbek Makhmudov kept himself in the conversation for big heavyweight fights as he closed out a gruelling unanimous decision win over British crowd favourite Dave Allen in Sheffield.

Russian knockout machine Makhmudov (21-2, 19 KOs) had his stamina and heart questioned after defeats to Agit Kabayal and Guido Vianello. Allen's plan was to take the fight long but Makhmudov boxed smartly enough to build up a handsome lead through the middle rounds.

The 36-year-old came through a mini-crisis at the end of round nine, although Allen had been forced to absorb so much up until that point. There was not enough in the tank to force a famous upset win.

Verdicts of 115-111, 116-110 and 117-109 came after Makhmudov was docked two points for holding, highlighting the limitations in his overall skillset that made his post-fight callout of Anthony Joshua feel ambitious. Allen, who pledged to fight on and target the British title, slips to 24-8-2 (19 KOs).

WATCH: Dave Allen vs. Arslanbek Makhmudov on DAZN

MORE: Dave Allen vs. Arslanbek Makhmudov undercard: Complete list of fights before 2025 heavyweight boxing match

Allen had success inside the first 15 seconds with a left hook off the ropes but Makhmudov soon got into a methodical rhythm, looking for his sledgehammer right hand off the left lead. The Russian slung in a heavy uppercut as Allen tucked up well but moved perilously in straight lines at mid-range

Makhmudov started the second round quickly, with clubbing hooks. A clear low blow saw Allen stem the tide but he was wobbled and forced to bite down on his gumshield when they traded hooks.

With some justification, Makhmudov complained about another low blow in round three before continuing to bludgeon shots in Allen's direction. Aside from spurts of trading hooks and forcing Makhmudov to hold on the inside, Allen was unable to enjoy much success.

The visitor was allowed to box at a comfortable pace and control the action with his jab in a fourth round that Allen concluded with a nice hook upstairs and some palpably more legal body work.

The fifth was Allen's most effective session so far as he finally forced Makhmudov to go backwards, thudding home hooks, although the big Eastern European responded with a meaty right of his own.

There was a sense that Makhmudov's questionable stamina would hinder him if Allen got out of the early rounds, but the home favourite was unable to up the tempo effectively during the middle section of the fight.

Makhmudov banked rounds, despite having a point taken off in round seven, until Allen had the arena on its feet in the ninth. First, Mahkhudov lost his gumshield before wearing an Allen overhand right. Both men traded but Allen had the better of the action, pounding to the body and finishing with an uppercut upstairs.

The bell came at the right time for Makhmudov, but he regrouped impressively in light of his recent trials. Allen's attempts to force a finish and the punishment he'd taken up until that point meant there were two exhausted fighters in the ring.

Makhmudov continued to land the cleaner shots and with greater frequency as Allen once again showed an unbelievable chin. That can be a curse as much as a blessing for heavyweights in the latter stages of their career, but fighting under trainer Jamie Moore, the resurgent Allen has good people around him. 

He certainly knows all about Makhmudov's power, having forced the Russian to go 12 rounds for the first time. Those dynamite fists now probably get one more roll of the dice against a big name.

Dave Allen vs. Arslanbek Makhmudov full card results

  • Arslanbek Makhmudov def. Dave Allen (UD 12); Heavyweights
  • Bilal Fawaz def. Junaid Bostan (MD 10) to win the vacant English super welterweight title
  • Josh Padley def. Reece Bellotti (UD 10); Super Featherweights
  • Hamza Uddin def. Paul Roberts (TKO 5/10) to win the vacant English Flyweight title
  • Ibraheem Sulaimaan def. James Chereji (PTS 8); Super Featherweights
  • Conner Tudsbury def. Khalid Graidia (TKO 4/6); Light Heavyweights
  • Joe Hayden def. Angelo Dragone; Welterweights
  • Joe Howarth def. Kane Baker (PTS 6); Lightweights

Dave Allen vs. Arslanbek Makhmudov start time

  • Date: Saturday, October 11
  • Start time: 7 p.m. BST
  • Main event start time (approx.): 10:30 p.m. BST
  • Location: Utilita Arena - Sheffield

Dave Allen vs. Arslanbek Makhmudov tune-in info

Dave Allen vs. Arslanbek Makhmudovn will be available on DAZN.

In the UK, a DAZN monthly subscription costs £9.99 on a 12-month contract or £19.99 month-to-month. An annual subscription is £99.99. 

Dom Farrell

Dom is the senior content producer for Sporting News UK. He previously worked as fan brands editor for Manchester City at Reach Plc. Prior to that, he built more than a decade of experience in the sports journalism industry, primarily for the Stats Perform and Press Association news agencies. Dom has covered major football events on location, including the entirety of Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup in Paris and St Petersburg respectively, along with numerous high-profile Premier League, Champions League and England international matches. Cricket and boxing are his other major sporting passions and he has covered the likes of Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, Wladimir Klitschko, Gennadiy Golovkin and Vasyl Lomachenko live from ringside.