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Filip Hrgovic rains on Dave Allen homecoming with ruthless three-round rout
DONCASTER — Filip Hrgovic delivered a statement stoppage to spoil Dave Allen's homecoming with a three-round heavyweight victory at Doncaster's Eco-Power Stadium.
The Croatian, a heavy pre-bout favourite seeking a third straight victory, overpowered his opponent to keep his world title ambitions on track with a bruisingly fast performance.
Success for the Rio 2016 medalist on a soggy South Yorkshire night tees up a possible bout with rising British star Moses Itauma this August as both men angle for the summit.
Yet in a way, the night still belonged to local hero Allen, who was serenaded by a devout fanbase from the first bell to the moment the towel was thrown in and long after too.
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Defeat for 'The White Rhino', while expected, nevertheless leaves the cult favourite at a crossroads over his next move, having long professed a dream for a British title shot.
But whether Allen gets his crack at the Lonsdale Belt or not, he will always have the memories of an evening where his hometown came out in force to show their enduring love.
For a show almost lovingly dubbed as "Dave vs Goliath", there was always the lingering suspicion that this affair could take less time than the pair's day-and-night ringwalks.
Hrgovic, shepherded to the canvas first and introduced last, cut a typically imposing figure, proceeding across a pyro-strafed platform with minimal fuss and maximum menace.
By contrast, Allen soaked in this culminative moment, saluting a crowd that sang his name with every fist-pump as the sounds of Frank Sinatra's My Way echoed behind him.
Those fans did not lose voice across a first round that effectively set the tone too, with the home favourite weathering a relentless stream of jabs to the chin and the body.
Clearly in pursuit of a showreel performance after two prior wins that went the distance, Hrgovic repeated his approach in the second, frequently pegging Allen on the ropes.
Initially, it appeared as if 'The White Rhino' might weather the punishment - but after a brutal barrage early in the third, his guard gradually slumped as his opponent pressed.
A wide swing with his own hook saw Allen slip to the canvas just moments later, and while he returned swiftly to his feet, the warning signs appeared there for his corner.
With only half a minute to go in the round, the star's team flashed the towel at ringside, despite his protests - and with it, Hrgovic raised his arms, and looked towards the future.
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