David Allen set for British heavyweight title eliminator this weekend - before bowing out

Allen had been due to fight in Sunderland this weekend and had already declared that he would be taking an indefinite break from boxing afterwards.

Then came the opportunity, at short notice, to face Webb on Saturday's pay-per-view event at the O2 Arena which the Conisbrough heavyweight says he could not turn down.

But despite the potential of pushing towards major domestic honours, Allen insists Saturday's bout will be his last for a while.

“I saw Eddie [Hearn, promoter] offered Joe Joyce to fight Nick Webb, then my name was mentioned in an interview if that was off so I sent Eddie a message straight away,” Allen said.

“Who wouldn’t want to be part of another big PPV show?

"I’ve been involved in a few now and I couldn’t say no when I knew there was an option to fight on this card."

“Win, lose or draw this is going to be my last fight for a while," he added.

"People might say that’s not the best thing to say before a big fight, but it’ll help drive that extra 10 per cent out of me.

"I’ve been in some good, hard fights in recent years and I think it’s time to rest up and revitalise myself.”

Webb has won all 12 of his professional fights to date, stopping ten early.

Allen, with his experience against elite level fighters, represents a significant step up in class.

“He’s a big strong man who can punch with a good amateur pedigree," Allen said.

He seems a nice guy, this is nothing personal it’s just another big fight.

"He’ll be looking at this to kickstart his career on to the big scene. It’s an evenly matched fight but one I know I can win.

“Webb’s always in training, I follow him on social media so we’re on a level playing field with the short notice.

"If it comes down to who wants it more, there’s only one winner and that’s me.

"It’ll come down to a battle of strength, toughness and who takes the better shot and I think that’s me. I’ve got the experience going in to these big nights and that’ll make up for some of the attributes I may be lacking in."

The clash is part of the undercard for the heavyweight clash between Dillian Whyte and former WBO ruler Joseph Parker – with the WBC Silver and vacant WBO International belts on the line.

Former heavyweight world title challengers Dereck Chisora and Carlos Takam clash for the WBA International Heavyweight belt in a must-win match up for both.

Joshua Buatsi goes for his first professional title when he fights for the WBC International Light-Heavyweight crown while Katie Taylor defends her WBA and IBF World Lightweight titles against Kimberly Connor.

Conor Benn and Cedric Peynaud rematch after their fight of the year brawl in 2017 and unbeaten super welterweights Anthony Fowler and Craig O'Brien meet over eight rounds.