Arslanbek Makhmudov Outpoints Dave Allen in Grueling Sheffield Battle

Sheffield, England, UK - At the Utilita Arena, in front of a thunderous 10,000-strong crowd, Arslanbek Makhmudov kept his heavyweight ambitions alive with a grueling twelve-round unanimous-decision victory over Doncaster’s Dave Allen, taking Allen's WBA Inter-Continental heavyweight title.

The fight delivered everything fans hope for in a main event — tension, heart, and honest heavy-handed work. Makhmudov needed every ounce of experience to handle the relentless Allen, who fought through punishment and exhaustion to give the crowd a night they won’t forget.

A Cauldron in Sheffield

From the opening bell, the atmosphere inside the Utilita Arena was electric. Makhmudov entered to boos and jeers, the clear villain in Yorkshire’s eyes. Then came Allen — walking to “My Way” by Frank Sinatra as thousands sang along, a grin on his face, waving to his people. It was pure theatre: the local fighter stepping into a storm of lights and sound, the crowd ready to lift him through anything.

When the bell rang, Makhmudov immediately showed why he’s been feared for so long. The Russian giant used his 6’5½″ frame to control distance and thud combinations off Allen’s guard. Allen’s strategy, though, was clever — let the big man work, absorb the punishment, and wait for his moment.

Makhmudov Controls Early, Allen Soaks It Up

The first four rounds belonged to Makhmudov. He jabbed strongly, mixed in the right hand, and pinned Allen to the ropes. The Doncaster fighter, to his credit, didn’t panic. He rolled with shots, blocked high, and made Makhmudov miss just enough to tire him. The early damage was visible but never decisive — Allen’s poker face unbroken, his chin defiant.

Makhmudov’s right hand repeatedly split the guard, but Allen’s body shots in the pockets hinted at a longer plan. The crowd sensed it too; every small success from Allen drew a roar loud enough to drown out the commentary.

Allen’s Mid-Fight Revival

Round 5 changed the rhythm. Allen came forward with authority, pushing Makhmudov back and working the midsection. A body shot and an uppercut snapped Makhmudov’s head up — his best sequence of the night to that point. The Russian responded with holding, eventually drawing referee Steve Gray’s attention. The arena erupted with chants, believing the momentum had turned.

By Round 9, it nearly had. Allen landed a massive overhand right that rocked Makhmudov badly. His gumshield came loose, giving him a much-needed pause. When the action resumed, Allen went for broke — hooks, uppercuts, a roaring crowd behind him. Makhmudov wobbled but somehow stayed upright. The round ended with the arena in chaos — Allen punching, fans screaming, the noise swallowing the broadcast feed.

Makhmudov’s Composure Returns

But experience matters. Between rounds, Makhmudov’s corner calmed him down, and in Rounds 10 and 11 he found his rhythm again. He boxed at range, threw short flurries, then tied Allen up before the inside fighting could start. It wasn’t pretty — the holding cost him two separate point deductions — but it blunted Allen’s late surge.

Allen never stopped trying. In the twelfth and final round, he pressed forward again, landing another overhand right and a left hook that staggered Makhmudov briefly. The crowd was on its feet, but time was against him. Makhmudov held his ground, fired back enough to stay safe, and heard the final bell knowing he’d done enough.