Photo by Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing/Getty Images

Eddie Hearn describes confirmed heavyweight bout as ‘one of the most bizarre fights’ he’s ever made

Originally posted on Bloody Knockout | By Donal Long | Last updated Aug 2, 2025 6:06 AM ET

Heavyweight is currently an interesting division in boxing, as all eyes are now fixed on the undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Joseph Parker wants Usyk to finally get his opportunity to win a second world title, while Anthony Joshua is eyeing up Jake Paul as an opponent.

Other potential big players at heavyweight are a returning Tyson Fury and Moses Itauma, who is on a quick ascent of the division.

However, amidst all the ongoings of the heavyweight division, Eddie Hearn has named a different matchup as one of the most bizarre he’s ever made.

Photo by Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing/Getty Images

Eddie Hearn perplexed by Dave Allen’s next fight in October

Matchroom Boxing heavyweight Dave Allen is once again making a slow rise through the heavyweight division.

Following Allen’s shock win over Johnny Fisher, the 24-7-2 Englishman began to have his name mentioned alongside some elite heavyweights for fights.

The likes of Parker were understood to be considered for the ‘White Rhino’ at one point, but it will be Arslanbek Makhmudov facing Allen next on October 11th.

Despite being the promoter who made the fight, Hearn described to IFL TV how surprised he was at the arranged fight.

After speaking on Lewis Crocker vs Paddy Donovan’s sequel bout in September, Hearn said, “Then we head into October for one of the most bizarre fights I’ve ever made, which is Dave Allen against Makhmudov.”

Hearn went on to say, “I just still can’t get my head around why we’re doing it. I texted him [Allen] two nights ago. I said, ‘This is either the worst decision… Or the greatest stroke of genius you’ve ever seen.'”

The Matchroom Boxing promoter revealed that with a win, Allen would find himself fighting for ‘seven figures’ against the likes of Parker, Deontay Wilder, Moses, and Daniel Dubois.

Hearn said that when he mentioned Makhmudov to Allen as an opponent, the British heavyweight responded, ‘Is that the scary monster that punches like a mule?’

Allen then said, according to Hearn, ‘Yeah, that would get me in the gym.’

Arslanbek Makhmudov has only gone the distance once with a 95% knockout rate

Allen will be aiming to evade the significant punching power of the ‘Lion’ Makhmudov when he steps into the ring on October 11th in Sheffield.

With a 20-2 record, Makhmudov has 19 victories by way of knockout. In his last fight, he was able to stop Ricard Brown (12-0) via first-round knockout, in June.

The two losses on the Russian’s record have come from Guido Vianello (12-2-1) in 2024 and heavyweight contender Agit Kabayel (23-0) in 2023.

Makhmudov has only heard the final bell in one of his professional outings, when he won a unanimous decision against Carlos Takam in 2022.

This article first appeared on Bloody Knockout and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: