Dave Allen gives 'festive fatties' some hope
Dave Allen may have put on a few pounds over Christmas, but he still only needed 57 seconds to knock the stuffing out of his latest opponent.
The 33-year-old Conisbrough heavyweight wasn't even a minute into his routine before he put away hapless French journeyman Karim Berredjem at the Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham.
In typical humorous style, he said he hoped he's "given all those fatties out there some hope."
It had been 25th career victory and 20th knockout - and probably his easiest pay day in a career stretching back to a Don Valley Stadium six rounder in 2012.
It was his first fight since the White Rhino's noble defeat at the hands of Arslanbek Makhmudov in October and, before that, a May stoppage of domestic rival Jonny Fisher.
Fight fans only had to wait 10 seconds for Allen to drop Berredjem, an obliging, almost stationary target, with a meaty right hand connecting to the back of the head.
It was just too easy - the shocked Frenchman got off the canvas but was put to bed by another overhand; he hit the floor just ahead of the towel thrown in by his corner.
"I knew I was a level or two above this, but I had a comeback fight, I took it, and I said to Eddie (Hearn, promoter), I'm just going to let my shots go," Allen said after the brief work out, screened live on DAZN.
"I can hurt anyone in the division, but I've had a problem with letting my hands go.
"So tonight, I thought, while I have got the chance, let's knock someone out as quick as I can."
Allen (25-8-2) says the most memorable night of his career had been packing out Sheffield Arena last October - and with his popularity in the sport, don't rule out a return there, this summer.
Saturday's KO was on the Leigh Wood vs Josh Warrington undercard.
Wood won on a unanimous decision on the Matchroom promotion.That sets up the possibility of Wood taking on Armthorpe's Josh Padley, who collected the vacant EBU European Super Feather title in Newcastle in January.