SHEFFIELD promoter Dennis Hobson calls him the White Rhino.
And it is a nickname that may stick if Dave Allen manages to charge up the rankings in the British heavyweight division.
Trainer Kevin Sanders believes it is an appropriate moniker too.
“I have seen people come and go over the years but this is an exciting kid, one who will fight anybody and can go pretty far. There aren’t many who would like to spar with him, let alone fight him.”
The Sheffield public can make their own assessment of the Doncaster heavyweight, he boxes at Don Valley Stadium on March 2.
The Conisbrough-born fighter won his first professional bout there in December and will fancy his chances against an opponent who has won only five of his 29 fights to date. He will be facing Tayar Mehmed, a 27-year-old Bulgarian.
The Rhino is supremely confident he can win his second pro fight and continue his charge up the professional ladder against Mehmed.
“There is no doubt in my mind I will beat him,” says Allen. “The only question is whether I decide to knock him out or not.”
He admits he had to cope with nerves ahead of his professional debut against Lithuanian Rolandas Cesna last year.
“I was a bit nervous, just because of the size of the venue and the stage I’m fighting at. I won the national amateur finals in Essex in 2011, but that just doesn’t compare to fighting professionally. The atmosphere is so different at Don Valley.”
The last fighter to beat Mehmed was Sam Sexton, who himself was KO’d by David Price to the British championship, last year.
n Kell Brook’s promoter Eddie Hearn says Kell Brook’s bull-like strengnth will ensure he beats Devon Alexander to the world title in America on February 23. He told Sky TV: “Kell’s going to be much stronger than him. But it’s about taking your time, cutting him off and making sure you wear him down and physically manhandle him. I don’t think Devon will be able to manhandle Kell. If they’re in clinches Kell will be too strong. Kell’s strength is phenomenal for a welterweight.”
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