'White Rhino' offers fans cut-price Rotherham boxing
DAVE Allen is offering cut-price boxing tickets in Rotherham and a free drink from the bar as he begins the last phase of his rollercoaster career.
The Conisbrough boxer was stopped inside three rounds last Saturday by Croatian Filip Hrgovic, the world’s fifth-ranked heavyweight.
His third loss in five contests prompted some fans and figures within boxing to suggest the 34-year-old should hang up his gloves.
Former world champion Johnny Nelson has even claimed that the father of two is now threatening his own safety and future health by trading with heavy-handed opponents such as Hrgovic and Arslanbek Makhmudov.
Allen now appears to be re-envisioning his career by scaling back both the standard of opponents and expectations amongst fans.
But he is also wanting to thank his own supporters, via reduced ticket prices at the Magna Centre next month.
The 'White Rhino' posted on Instagram: "June 20th at Rotherham Magna I will be back in the ring, I physically cannot sit and wait to get back in the ring after last week.
"Full transparency it will be with a journeyman type of opponent and the rounds will be four or six, ticket prices £50 and £85 ringside but those who came to the fight at the (Doncaster Rovers) football ground last week or my fights at Skate Central (Sheffield) a few years ago the tickets will be available at half prices and with a free drink as I will be putting the money behind the bar for them so message @teamwhiterhino."
He added: "I just love to box and I wanna enjoy it and while I imagine and understand a lot won’t be bothered travelling for me doing these smaller fights I have to rebuild this way...and get to my final destination one final big fight."
Allen is fancied for a crack at the British title, which would be a fitting reward for a boxer who has 20 KOs out of 25 wins.
Rotherham boxing coach Jamie Kennedy isn't surprised Allen is heading back into the squared circle.
Referring to his televised defeat to Hrgovic, Kennedy said: "Dave deserved the opportunity, purse-wise, venue-wise, (although) there will be a lot shouting 'mismatch.' He knew it was going to be hard...it proved domestic level is where Dave should be.
"It's his job and he has a good team around him. He knew they would protect him and that is what a good team does.
"He was well beaten but his team saved him. He will go again - it's what boxers do - and should be super-proud of himself. Everyone loves Dave."
The Magna bill, hosted by Swinton promoter Jamie Sheldon, will include Rotherham's Ellie Hellewell, who takes on Slovakian Klaudia Ferenczi, and Dinnington's Charlie Ellis fights Buckinhamshire's Liam McElhinney.