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From the press box
Boxing
Saturday night saw an intriguing run of fights put on by Frank Warren's Queensbury Promotions at Doncaster's Eco-Power Stadium. Top of the bill was a heavyweight contest between Britain's Dave Allen (25-8-2) and strong favorite Filip Hrgovic (19-1). With the Croatian visitor holding an Olympic bronze medal and far better seasoning, it looked like a tough ask for the White Rhino to come away with the win, even with the backing of a raucous home crowd.
Hrgovic Looks To Make Reach Advantage Tell In Jab Battle
Allen may have come into the contest in the best shape of his career, but he would have to be quick on his feet and highly mobile with his dead movement to get inside Hrgovic's jab. With a 7-inch reach advantage and proven amateur pedigree, Hrgovic set out to establish the jab from the first round and keep the underdog at bay. His superior skills were on full display as he easily walked his man down, forced him onto the ropes, and landed straight right hands without getting too close and smothering his work at the end of the opening round.
Allen Struggles Valiantly In Front Of Home Fans But To No Avail
Thousands had braved a wet and cold night in Doncaster in the hope of seeing their hometown fighter put on a show, but he was barely able to land a jab by the 2nd round. The few shots Allen landed didn't come close to troubling Hrgovic, who remained laser-focused on the task at hand and was in complete control after only six minutes of boxing.
Things continued to go downhill for Allen in the 3rd when referee Steve Gray appeared to be in active conversation with Jamie Moore in Allen's corner during the round. The man in charge of maintaining order had spotted Moore holding the towel, and when Hrgovic unleashed another barrage of unanswered shots, the fight was waved off to boos from a disappointed home crowd.
Hrgovic Has Sights Set On Showdown With Rising British Star
After beating yet another British heavyweight on home soil, the victor is now being talked about as the next opponent for the destructive Moses Itauma. At only 21 and with his sights set on becoming the next world champion, Itauma will surely provide a much sterner test for the away fighter.
Louie O'Doherty & Ahmed Hatim Fight For Two Lightweight Belts
With the Commonwealth & British straps both on the line at 135 lb, both men were looking to make a statement and catapult themselves into the conversation for European honors. In what many thought would be a highly technical fight that relied on range and judgment of distance, it was Hatim who had some initial success by using his larger frame to whip shots to the body in the opening couple of rounds. From the 3rd onwards, however, it was all about the precision jab of O'Doherty as he cruised to a wide majority decision over 12 by scores of 119-109, 118-110, and 118-110.
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