Dave Allen vs Arslanbek Makhmudov betting tips: The White Rhino charges at a Russian Lion

Undercard

The likeable British boxer Dave Allen (24-7-2, 19 KOs) takes on the fearsome Russian Arslanbek Makhmudov (20-2, 19 KOs) in his backyard in Sheffield.

He will need that home advantage as he, once again, takes on yet another mammoth task, something his career has become synonymous with.

The character from Conisbrough has carved a career from biting off more than he can chew, taking on Olympic and world champions against all odds.

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And here he goes again in yet another David vs Goliath fight.

Tale of the tape: Dave Allen vs Arslanbek Makhmudov

Dave Allen: Mission Impossible – The Final Reckoning

Dave Allen notably had a very short yet successful amateur career, fighting just 10 times in one season, where he won the Yorkshire ABAs and was offered a spot on the Team GB squad. He turned it down to turn pro, aged 20, something he looks back on with regret.

His professional career has had its ups and downs, like many others have, but he stands out more for his insistence on taking on the hardest fights, but also for his lack of dedication. Many have accused Allen of being lazy and he wouldn’t argue against that, himself.

He has shown ill-discipline and unprofessionalism several times, turning up to various fights overweight and unfit.

However now he has a young family and mortgages to pay for, he has found himself in the best shape of his life for this one, thanks to trainers Jamie Moore and Nigel Travers.

And he will need all of that fitness, discipline and dedication as he gets ready for yet another Herculean task against Makhmudov. 

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Why does he call out the likes of David Price and Dillian Whyte when he’s clearly not ready for that level of opponent? Because he needs that ‘Mission Impossible’ to get him up in the morning. If he was fighting a journeyman, he would simply turn off the alarm and go back to sleep.

Back-to-back bouts with ‘The Romford Bull’ Johnny Fisher showed that he is still able to compete at a high level. He controversially lost the first fight, but only on paper, because he was the deserved winner on the night. He got his just rewards in the rematch with a fifth-round KO.

So he comes into this contest with two good performances behind him and showing off the greatest shape he has ever been in, so he has stacked all of the odds he possibly can in his favour.

Arslanbek Makhmudov: He wrestles grizzly bears; now he locks horns with a ‘White Rhino’

The 36-year-old Russian experienced over 200 amateur bouts, winning multiple national and European tournaments, even competing in the World Series of Boxing for the Moscow ‘Dinamos’.

Even then he was feared for his size, strength, power and explosive finishes. He has carried that fearsome reputation in the pro ranks by knocking out all but one opponent.

However, the 6ft 5in Russian giant has also shown vulnerabilities in his two losses. In 2023, against Agit Kabayel, he was on the front foot, landing some big blows on the German. But as soon as he copped a few back, he began to withdraw and was stopped after being dropped three times. 

After Kabayel pushed him back, he cleverly targeted the body and found a weakness, forcing the stoppage two-minutes into round four.

Then, just eight months later, he found himself being forced to retire after the ringside doctor refused his right to continue when his left eye was completely closed shut, courtesy of constant overhand rights from Italian Guido Vianello.

So despite his intimidating size and presence, his reputation for wrestling bears and having his trainers brutally pound his body with sledgehammers in training camps, there’s evidence to suggest that this goliath can be brought down by David.

Dave Allen vs Arslanbek Makhmudov: The key factors

The odds at the bookies actually have this fight quite even. Allen is only a small underdog and Makhmudov the slight favourite.

The reason for this is that Allen has clearly prepared well for this fight, showing a dedication and focus never seen before in his 13-year pro career. The other factor is that both men are very hittable. 

Makhmudov clearly struggles against opponents with speed. If Allen is able to outwork him, land his shots quickly and often, then he could do enough damage to force the Russian backwards and dictate the pace of the fight.

Kabayel showed that Makhmudov is vulnerable to the body and Vianello proved that enough repetitive right hands landing on the target can break the behemoth.

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And Dave Allen, with his exceptional technique, is very dangerous with his body shots, famously knocking out former world champion Lucas Browne with a single body blow; and the overhand right is his favourite punch.

It’s one of those fights where it should be clear that Makhmudov is the winner, but ‘what if?’ Allen has every chance to win this, but it is a Herculean task, something he is very used to undertaking, but not always capable of achieving.

Both powerful pugilists possess 19 knockouts on their records, but Makhmudov boasts a 95% KO ratio, far superior to Allen’s 79%.

And both fighters have got a carrot dangling in front of them, spurring them on, so there is a lot at stake in this contest.

Makhmudov has the potential to fight Anthony Joshua next year if he wins and Eddie Hearn has told Dave Allen he will make the fight with Deontay Wilder if he prevails. So there are huge rewards on the line for both men, making this a make-or-break fight.

FIRST’s top tip for Dave Allen vs Arslanbek Makhmudov

Makhmudov’s superior strength, size, range, power and experience gives him the edge over Dave Allen, who is plucky, powerful and brave, but could be biting off more than he can chew… again.

Pick: Arslanbek Makhmudov to win the fight - 5/6 (Betway)

Extra tips 

For Dave Allen to defy the odds once again, a bold bet on ‘The White Rhino’ stopping the Russian giant is currently 13/8 with Ladbrokes.

Perhaps, a more realistic bet is for Makhmudov to stop Allen after round 8, which carries odds from 25/1 to 50/1 with various bookies.

FIRST's recommended bookmakers for betting on Allen vs Makhmudov 

FIRST's team of betting experts have selected the best bookies to place a bet on Allen vs Makhmudov, based on best odds, markets covered and payout speed.

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Odds correct at the time of writing.