Dennis Hobson has some forthright views about key players and instantly-recognisable faces in the domestic boxing scene.

Here is the Sheffield promoter's latest column for The Star - and as usual, he doesn't hold back.

Dave Allen’s on an eye-catching run – if he fights the big Chinese heavyweight Zhilei Zhang, how do you see it going?

Zhang is an old man and in comparison, Dave is quite fresh although he been knocked about a little bit.

Dave Allen stopped Karim Berredjem in a Heavyweight Contest at Nottingham. Picture By Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing

placeholder image — Dave Allen stopped Karim Berredjem in a Heavyweight Contest at Nottingham. Picture By Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing

I would say it’s a bit of a donkey derby, but I’d probably pick Dave because he’s on a bit of a roll.

The problem with Dave is he’s not been a consummate professional. If he had, he’d have been British champion by now. He’s taken shortcuts whereas he could have won something meaningful.

He’s likeable, is game and he’s capable. I launched him when he turned pro, named him the White Rhino and then when people were saying he should retire, I brought him back.

I got his credibility back and then he walks away again.

He’s a likeable kid, I’d sit down and have dinner with him. He’s not the worst and I still want Dave to do well.

Did you have any sympathy for Eddie Hearn after Conor Benn’s defection?

I think he’s (Hearn) being a bit of a drama queen. I’ve built kids up from nothing, like Jamie McDonell, and Eddie just nicked him off me!

I built Jamie up, from losing domestically, to becoming a world champion when I got him his world title fight at home, at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster.

I don’t really have sympathy, no.

All of a sudden Eddie’s calling Conor the bad guy because he’s turned on him.

And your view of your own career?

If you look at my CV, you could say I’m the Brian Clough of boxing.

I’ve taken kids from nothing to go and win a world title, it’s a special feeling

There was some debate after the recent film 'Giant' was released about Naseem Hamed and his financial arrangement with Brendan Ingle – whose side are you on?

I think there’s always two sides. I loved Brendan and have always had a good relationship with the Hameds, I spoke to one of the brothers just last week. So, it’s a difficult one because nobody knows 100% what happened.

I’ve got respect for both sides. Maybe Naz could have handled it better but there might be two sides to it all, so I’d rather not say whose side I am.

I just wished they’d stayed together because even though Naz did fantastic, I think he’d have done even better if he’d stayed and been steered by Brendan.