Dave Allen vs Johnny Fisher 2: “The inquest” that needs investigating

“The Romford Bull” and “The White Rhino” are all set to lock horns once again, this time on UK soil.

Johnny Fisher (13-0, 11 KOs) and David Allen (23-7-2, 18 KOs) headline the Copper Box Arena in London on May 17, live on DAZN, in a highly-anticipated rematch.

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Fisher won their first fight, back in December last year, on the undercard of Fury-Usyk 2 in Saudi Arabia. However, the victory was shrouded in controversy and conflict, as a majority of spectators around the world strongly disagreed with the result.

Fisher’s hand was raised with scores of 95-94 twice and 96-93 to Allen, however, the verdict was greeted by a chorus of boos on the night and ensuing dissatisfaction from fight fans articulating their opinions online for many days afterwards.

So, it’s very fitting that this rematch has been titled “The Inquest”, because this rematch will deliver the investigation into the robbery that everyone needs answers to.

Tale of the tape: Dave Allen vs Johnny Fisher 2

Johnny Fisher: Can the 'Romford Bull' deal with the charge of 'the White Rhino'?

Johnny Fisher is sharp and powerful, puts his stiff punches together very well, mixing to body and head, but his conditioning and inexperience badly let him down against Allen in their first fight.

Did he underestimate his sparring partner, friend and hero? It’s possible the 26-year-old unsuspecting Essex fighter found the fight version of Dave Allen very different to the sparring version that he knows so well.

The Romford resident put a lot of power and effort behind his early punches and seemed to tire very early on, breathing heavily from just the second round. 

Allen could sense this shift in energy and began to start advancing forwards, throwing and landing his signature overhand right from the third round, then began backing the favourite up from the fourth. His aggression and bullying tactics resulted in a deserved knockdown in the fifth round.

Allen landed a big left hook, very early in the round, dropping an exhausted-looking Fisher to the canvas. With a long way to go in the round, the youngster did remarkably well to clinch, hold on and hang in there to get some much needed respite and corner advice from Mark Tibbs in the break.

Allen continued to press for the rest of the fight, with Fisher constantly caught, hurt and staggered. He was able to get back on top in the final rounds when it was Allen’s turn to feel the pace, and, rightfully or wrongly, it was just enough effort to edge the win.

David Allen: The White Rhino will be vengeful for justice

Dave Allen will have felt very hard done by after the latest loss in his unfulfilled career. After 32 bouts, including five championship contests, and over 12 years in the pro ranks, the fan-favourite is yet to win a single title.

Previously, “The Doncaster De La Hoya” was perhaps more motivated by money and fame, but now that he is comfortable as a homeowner and landlord, he is eager to win some kind of belt to make his young family proud.

Often occupying the away corner, his appearance against Frazer Clarke back in 2023 was less than impressive, but his performance against Fisher was exemplary.

Very few expected the likeable fighter to really challenge Fisher amid his meteoric rise, but he not only matched him, he had his number.

After the first few rounds, Allen turned the 10-round contest into his fight, taking it in close, making it scrappy and awkward, tying Fisher up, leaning on him, sapping his strength and depleting his energy. You could argue that it was man versus boy that night in Riyadh.

Despite dropping and hurting the younger man, Allen couldn’t finish him off, forced to go the full 10 and dropping down to the floor on the final bell, completely exhausted and emotional, believing he had won, but was then cruelly denied the recognition at ringside.

Dave Allen vs Johnny Fisher 2: The key factors

Fisher is very sharp, rangy, fresh and powerful. The young prospect puts combinations together very well, in fast rapid fire, mixing to body and head. 

His last showing may have exposed his inexperience and potential stamina issues, but it did demonstrate his determination and solid chin.

Allen is vastly more experienced than Fisher, which was so evident in their first fight. He also showed intelligence to turn the bout into his fight and not allow Fisher to do anything he wanted to do. The pressure that he placed him under was impressive and effective.

At 32-years-old after some very hard fights, Allen’s capacity for improvement will be limited compared to the rising prospect in the opposite corner. 

At 26, just 13 bouts into his pro career, Fisher is a southern area heavyweight champion who is still learning and improving, and those last teachable 10-rounds will have been invaluable to him.

It’s really all down to Fisher to have gone back to the drawing board and learnt from his mistakes, expanded his expiring engine and convalesced his conditioning.

At his best, Fisher can use his youth, speed, size and range, freshness and sharpness to keep Allen at the end of his firm, fast fists. But he will have to maintain that energy for 30 minutes, as Allen will inevitably aim to advance, fight up close and bully him like he did so successfully before.

There’s one most glaring question that requires answering in this rematch. Is Fisher only a domestic level fighter and not the potential world-beater he has been built to become? Only a convincing victory can confirm this mystery.

FIRST’s top tip for Dave Allen vs Johnny Fisher 2

If Fisher can come back fitter and fresher, then this should be his fight to win or lose. An improved version that boxes sensibly, avoids bruising battles up close, should win against Allen. To win by decision is currently 7/4 with Betway.

Johnny Fisher to win by decision - 7/4 (Betway)

Extra tips

If Fisher is fitter and asserts his dominance early, avoiding getting caught up in any wars, then he could certainly inflict enough sustained damage over time to force Jamie Moore to throw in the towel, but that would most likely occur in rounds 6-10.

Fisher to stop Allen in round eight - 40/1 (Ladbrokes)

Odds correct at the time of writing.