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Fisher vs Allen 2 LIVE: Fight results as Romford Bull speaks out on vicious KO loss
Re-live the action after Dave Allen scored a devastating knockout of Johnny Fisher, leaving no doubt this time – after the latter’s controversial decision win in December
Dave Allen scored a devastating knockout of Johnny Fisher on Saturday night, leaving no doubt after their controversial first clash.
In December, Fisher survived a shock knockdown in round five to win a widely-disputed decision against his friend, staying unbeaten in the process.
But criticism of the scoring led Fisher, 26, to take an immediate rematch with his friend, 33, in a bid to put things right. And so the pair traded Saudi Arabia, the scene of their first showdown, for London’s Copper Box Arena on Saturday.
There, Allen again dropped Fisher in round five, putting the “Romford Bull” down twice in fact. The second knockdown came on the bell, courtesy of a vicious left hook, as Fisher faceplanted while the towel came in.
Re-live Fisher vs Allen and see the undercard results below.
Fisher vs Allen 2 LIVE
Dave Allen def. Johnny Fisher via fifth-round TKO (3:00)
Fisher vs Allen 2 LIVE
There’s some concern for Fisher, with paramedics immediately in the ring to check him, while Allen refrains from celebrating.
Fisher vs Allen 2 LIVE: Round five
Left hook to the body, one to the head by Allen! This is a great spell!
It was in this round that Fisher went down in their first fight.
Fisher with a trio of body shots, and Allen certainly does complain this time that they’re low. The ref tells Allen to get on with it, but I think those shots really were borderline or worse.
OH! Overhand right, massive shot, and Fisher is in trouble! Allen marches forward and looks to add more offence on a wobbly Fisher, who FINALLY goes down!
He beats the count, barely, and has 10 seconds to survive! His legs are NOT there!
A left hook on the bell FACEPLANTS Fisher, and the towel comes in at the same time! It’s a nightmare outing for Fisher; Allen with a fantastic victory!
Fisher vs Allen 2 LIVE: Round four
Allen bears down on Fisher and leans on him, as the heavyweights teeter on the top rope – thank goodness, they don’t go over!
This is so gruelling already, you can tell.
Left hook to the body lands for Allen. Right hook to the head lands for Fisher.
Fisher is dialling it up, but then he eats a clean jab. He does well to absorb an overhand – one of the first that Allen has landed clean – on the top of the head.
Fisher vs Allen 2 LIVE: Round three
Fisher is having to fight on the back foot more than he ever has.
Rear uppercut to the body seems to hurt Allen! He tries to complain it was low, I think, but the ref isn’t buying it – so Fisher adds more body shots!
Now Allen gets through with a couple of hooks upstairs.
It’s back and forth. Allen with a clean left hook, but Fisher fires back.
The boxers clinch, and Fisher is warned for throwing two or three shots after the ref’s call to “break”!
Back under way, and Allen is working the body well now.
Fisher vs Allen 2 LIVE: Round two
Fisher keeps his lead hand extended, aiming to deter the hunter, Allen.
Uppercut to the body by Fisher, who is then warned for tapping Allen on the top of the head.
Some heavy shots from Fisher intermittently. Clean cross now. Allen comes back with an overhand but overshoots it.
Allen with a pair of stinging jabs, but Fisher times a left hook well on the angle.
Fisher vs Allen 2 LIVE: Round one
Both men stand orthodox. You have to think Fisher will pace himself more this time.
Quite some atmosphere in the Copper Box. Allen edges forward and traps Fisher against the ropes, before unloading a big overhand!
Fisher seemed to avoid the worst of it.
Now the pair clinch for a bit before separating, and Allen stalks Fisher again.
Once more he hurls that overhand right; again Fisher is able to stifle it somewhat.
Allen blocks a one-two late in the round.
Fisher vs Allen 2 LIVE: Main-event ring walks
Speaking of calming tunes, “Truly Madly Deeply” is Fisher’s choice.
It starts a stirring sing-along in the Copper Box (or Copper Bosh, as Fisher calls it).
But then some country music, which he so loves: “Take Me Home, Country Roads”!
Fisher vs Allen 2 LIVE: Main-event ring walks
The ring walks are under way!
Allen, the “White Rhino”, is out first – to the sound of Frank Sinatra’s “My Way”, then a cover of Sting’s “Fields Of Gold”.
Calming songs, but accompanied by lots of shadow-boxing from Allen, 33.
Hold something back, Dave!
Fisher vs Allen 2 LIVE: Steve Bunce previews the rematch
In a boxing world of Saudi gold, YouTube novices and protected prospects, along come Fisher and Allen in a rematch that would not be out of place at the Royal Albert Hall in the Seventies. A venue at the time with a three-roped ring and smoke often lingering so heavily that a view from the cheap seats was obscured by the fog.
Fisher and Allen met last year in Riyadh, and it was a great scrap; Fisher, unbeaten in 12 going in, was dropped and hurt in the fifth round and Allen, who was in the best shape of his life, believed he had done enough to win on points after 10 rounds. Fisher never quite got the credit for coming back from the knockdown, but he showed maturity and real desire to last.
The decision for Fisher was tight, but it was not an outrage. It was a split decision, the two men separated by a slender, single point; fights that close are not robberies. The rematch made immediate sense.
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