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Dave Allen sends classy message to rival after heavyweight defeat
Dave Allen has posted on social media after losing to heavyweight giant Arslanbek Makhmudov on Saturday night.
The British heavyweight was looking to move towards world level by toppling the Russian but he was picked apart over 12 rounds as he slipped to a points defeat in front of his home fans in Sheffield.
Allen took significant punishment during the bout before admitting in his post-fight interview that he simply wasn't good enough. He was equally humble as he took to Instagram on Sunday evening, congratulating Makhmudov on his win while also sharing a photo of his rival holding one of Allen's children at their face-off last week.
Allen wrote: "@arslanbek_makhmudov, what a man, my friend the new champ, hope your hands are as sore as my head (this is not AI, this is us actually holding my kids at the face off)."
There was no bad blood between Allen and Makhmudov before their fight, and they have remained respectful towards one another since the final bell.
Allen could have set up a potential clash with ex-heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder if he had won this weekend but that now looks likely to be off the table.
He may need to drop back down to domestic level in the wake of his eighth professional defeat.
Meanwhile, Makhmudov may land a huge fight with Anthony Joshua after calling out the Brit following his win over Allen.
Makhmudov previously claimed Joshua had agreed to fight him if he beat Allen after the pair exchanged messages on social media.
Matchroom appeared to pour cold water on this idea after Saturday night, but Makhmudov remains hopeful of taking on the two-time heavyweight king in 2026.
Joshua is expected to return to the ring early next year having not fought since he was knocked out by Daniel Dubois in September 2024.
He is still looking for his next dance partner, with promoter Eddie Hearn stating Joshua will be aiming to dust off the cobwebs before a possible domestic showdown with Tyson Fury next summer.
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Joseph Parker and Fabio Wardley fight on Saturday, October 25, to become the WBO mandatory challenger to Oleksandr Usyk. Watch the fight and undercard live and exclusive on DAZN PPV.
