DAVE ALLEN, โThe White Rhinoโ, has sparred some of the worldโs best heavyweights, including Anthony Joshua, Luis Ortiz, Dillian Whyte and Tyson Fury. he also has a cult following, the backing of Sky and Eddie Hearn and an engaging, unique personality. What he hasnโt got yet though, is a professional title.
Come March 3 he intends to put that right in a rematch with Jamaicaโs Lenroy Thomas. Allen aims to become the Commonwealth heavyweight champion and spoke to Boxing News about the fight and the changes he has made that he believes will win him the title.
When it comes to preparation, Allen is certain heโs got it right this time. โItโs never gone better,โ he tells Boxing News. โThis is the first time Iโve gone into a fight and Iโm fit. In the past Iโve always kind of gone in hoping for the best where this time I know Iโm ready and I am ready. This is as good as I can be. [On Saturday] itโll be the best I can be, thereโs no regrets whatsoever, whatever happens next week.โ
After famously taking a fight against one of the worldโs top heavyweights, Luis Ortiz, on short notice and also losing to Dillian Whyte in similar circumstances, Allen claims to have reinvented himself. The Doncaster fighter has dispensed with the belly that accompanied him into the aforementioned high profile bouts and now boasts a heavyweight physique to be proud of. Allen explained his new regime: โIโve done more running than Iโve ever done, since I was boxing amateur. Weโre going back into the training I did five or six years ago, I used to run every day, I used to run and run and get myself fit. I couldnโt box but I was fit. Iโve learned to box over the years though through sparring in various world class camps [against AJ and Tyson Fury among others]. So now hopefully weโre going to put that experience with the new-found fitness weโve regained. My love for boxing has never been stronger.โ
Allen believes this fitness will pay off on March 3 and allow him to execute his come-forward style with more skill, style and consistency. The Rhino believes speed could be the key to claiming the Commonwealth belt as he explains his take on his Jamaican opponent:
โLenroy Thomas fights more like a cruiserweight. Heโs sharp, he moves, he puts little punches together, but he isnโt the strongest fighter in the world. Iโve brought my own weight down to keep up with that speed and his work-rate when he lets his punches go. Iโve been sparring with a lot of fighters for speed. A lot of cruiserweights and fast good moving heavyweights.โ
Itโs not just a new faster frame that the Yorkshireman hopes can take him to the top though, itโs a new mindset. โIโve lived a very interesting life, the first twenty-five years of my life have been veryโฆ colourfulโ, says Allen, fishing for the correct word.
Having overcome a gambling addiction and, at his lowest ebb, attempted to take his own life, Dave Allen has emerged from his troubles a stronger man. He described how the latest iteration of The White Rhino has taken on a new psychological robustness:
โItโs took me twenty-five years to get to know myself. I know myself now. I know how I click. I know what works for me. It just took twenty-five years to do that but Iโve done that now and Iโm in a good frame of mind. Iโve got a lot of good things going on. Iโve got myself busy, got myself in a good routine. Thatโs how I feel and thatโs why Iโve finally got myself in correct shape. Everything just literally couldnโt be better.โ
Having re-found his fitness and, perhaps, found his sense of self, Allen seems more dangerous than ever. After a messy first bout in which Allen admits he wasnโt fit enough, heโs hoping to give his fans something to celebrate in the re-match come Saturday night.
โI just wasnโt fit last time. After three of four rounds I knew I wasnโt having a good night. I thought I was going to bully him and knock him out. I thought heโd bottle it but to be fair to him he stood up to it.โ The plan is different this time around though, and Allen hopes to deliver his aggressive style in faster, slicker fashion. โA win is all I want by any means necessary. Iโm lucky in one way that people donโt really have high expectations of me so I donโt have to out there and try and win in a round. I want to win and that is it.โ
The White Rhinoโs self-belief is back with a vengeance though and heโs โa hundred percent confidentโ of defeating Lenroy Thomas: โIf he was British heโd be around the British champion level, no better, no worse, thatโs what he is. If I see myself going beyond British title level I have to beat him.โ
While refusing to look too far past the encounter, Allen astutely realises just how important a win on Saturday could be for his career. โIf I win the Commonwealth title thereโs the British title. I either go for the British title or I go for a big name, for a big fight, one or the other,โ he says. Allen couldnโt contain a hint of optimism and a seemingly accidental pun, when he added: โIf youโre the Commonwealth champion, with Eddie backing you, the skyโs the limit.โ