{"id":1901,"date":"2026-05-17T05:51:12","date_gmt":"2026-05-17T05:51:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/?p=1901"},"modified":"2026-05-17T05:51:12","modified_gmt":"2026-05-17T05:51:12","slug":"filip-hrgovic-denies-dave-allen-fairytale-homecoming-as-towel-comes-in-early","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/?p=1901","title":{"rendered":"Filip Hrgovic denies Dave Allen fairytale homecoming as towel comes in early"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div id=\"main\">\n<div class=\"hydrate-root sc-1ihz57b-0\" data-component=\"Newsletter\" data-loading=\"lazy\" data-theme-name=\"independent\">\n<div data-theme-wrapper=\"independent\" style=\"display:contents\">\n<aside class=\"sc-y4bm30-0 jwWhkK newsletter-component sc-1ge0fwe-0\" data-newsletter-key=\"receiveInsideSportNews\">\n<div class=\"sc-y4bm30-2 kcLSBk\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/static-assets\/images\/newsletters\/InsideSport1_1.png\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Inside Sport\" class=\"sc-1mc30lb-0 ggpMaE\"\/><\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-y4bm30-1 inRDZn\">\n<div class=\"sc-y4bm30-3\">\n<div class=\"sc-y4bm30-4 hfveGa\">\n<p><h3 class=\"sc-y4bm30-5 sc-y4bm30-6 fvoxRM cLEJmn\">Inside Sport newsletter: Get an expert guide to the biggest moments shaping the world of sport<\/h3>\n<h3 class=\"sc-y4bm30-5 sc-y4bm30-8 fvoxRM iTZFOX\">Get our free Inside Sport newsletter<\/h3>\n<h3 class=\"sc-y4bm30-5 sc-y4bm30-7 fvoxRM iGYpOF\">Get our free Inside Sport newsletter<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<p><svg class=\"sc-eaj12q-0 hKcUSR sc-culv3z-0 eifaJK sc-1ix0cah-0 PYnPb sc-y4bm30-10 fUEDPX\"><use href=\"#600f53465147d717\"\/><\/svg><\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-y4bm30-2 kcLSBk sc-y4bm30-9 iQYNfz\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/static-assets\/images\/newsletters\/InsideSport1_1.png\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Inside Sport\" class=\"sc-1mc30lb-0 ggpMaE\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>There was no fairytale homecoming for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/topic\/dave-allen\">Dave Allen<\/a> on Saturday, as his coach threw in the towel to confirm victory for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/topic\/filip-hrgovic\">Filip Hrgovic<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>At Doncaster\u2019s Eco Power Stadium, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/sport\/boxing\/dave-allen-boxer-filip-hrgovic-record-eco-power-stadium-b2974278.html\" title=\"What led Dave Allen to Filip Hrgovic? The unique logic behind a daunting test\">Allen faced his toughest test yet<\/a> as he took on Croatia\u2019s Hrgovic, a world heavyweight title hopeful.<\/p>\n<p>It was always likely to be an uphill battle for Allen, 34, and so it proved to be, as Hrgovic applied pressure from the opening bell until late in the third round.<\/p>\n<p>It was at that juncture that Moore waved the towel at referee Steve Gray, signalling defeat for Allen, after Hrgovic poured on punches with the home fighter trapped against the ropes.<\/p>\n<p>It had been almost one-way traffic up to that point, with Allen struggling to manage range and loading up on right hands, while Hrgovic threw crisp, straight shots for the most part. <\/p>\n<p>In the third round, Allen was swinging increasingly wildly, even throwing himself off balance and to the mat in one moment. Shortly thereafter, the stoppage came. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cFirst of all, Jamie is like my brother,\u201d Allen told DAZN after the fight. \u201cI love Jamie to death. I said to him, \u2018I will never go anywhere else, no matter what happens.\u2019 These are my f***ing family, you know what I mean? <\/p>\n<p>\u201cJamie said \u2018enough\u2019s enough\u2019; enough\u2019s enough. Thank you for looking after me. If Jamie thinks that\u2019s the right choice, it\u2019s the right choice. No excuse. I fought my heart out. Filip Hrgovic was too good for me. That\u2019s no excuse.<\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-awdjp1-2 cbpRGD sc-awdjp1-3 image align-center\">\n<figure class=\"sc-1cbdeug-0 cXcwgU\">\n<div data-gallery-length=\"3\" class=\"sc-awdjp1-0 lfBNGo\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2026\/05\/16\/22\/2276607033..\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2026\/05\/16\/22\/2276607033..?quality=75&amp;width=320&amp;auto=webp 320w, https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2026\/05\/16\/22\/2276607033..?quality=75&amp;width=640&amp;auto=webp 640w\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"\" class=\"sc-1mc30lb-0 ggpMaE inline-gallery-btn\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"sc-1cbdeug-1 sc-1cbdeug-3 YlsWU hgzWpY\"><span class=\"sc-1cbdeug-7 gjqsiM\">(<!-- -->Getty<!-- -->)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-118zqaw-0 ijrISW\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"sc-118zqaw-3 bnPMtb\">\n<div class=\"sc-118zqaw-4 hqeEpq\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/static-assets\/images\/mobile-stores\/DAZN.png\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"DAZN logo\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-118zqaw-5 erkCqL\">\n<p class=\"sc-118zqaw-6 ITEVB\">Enjoy 185+ fights a year on DAZN, the Global Home of Boxing<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-118zqaw-7 bSAfrS\">Never miss a fight from top promoters. Watch on your devices anywhere, anytime.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><a class=\"sc-1aus1tj-1 kCODJP sc-118zqaw-2\" href=\"https:\/\/prf.hn\/click\/camref:1011lfANh\/pubref:adsconfig\/[p_id:1011l7601]\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Buy Now<svg class=\"sc-eaj12q-0 kjmIzh sc-culv3z-0 eifaJK sc-1aus1tj-2 cChEZI\"><use href=\"#baddbaa17d236bd5\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/div>\n<p class=\"sc-118zqaw-8 bvmDWa\">ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission.<span class=\"disclaimer-break\"> This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-118zqaw-1 bfZJxf\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"sc-118zqaw-3 bnPMtb\">\n<div class=\"sc-118zqaw-4 hqeEpq\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/static-assets\/images\/mobile-stores\/DAZN.png\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"DAZN logo\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-118zqaw-5 erkCqL\">\n<p class=\"sc-118zqaw-6 ITEVB\">Enjoy 185+ fights a year on DAZN, the Global Home of Boxing<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-118zqaw-7 bSAfrS\">Never miss a fight from top promoters. Watch on your devices anywhere, anytime.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><a class=\"sc-1aus1tj-1 kCODJP sc-118zqaw-2\" href=\"https:\/\/prf.hn\/click\/camref:1011lfANh\/pubref:adsconfig\/[p_id:1011l7601]\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Buy Now<svg class=\"sc-eaj12q-0 kjmIzh sc-culv3z-0 eifaJK sc-1aus1tj-2 cChEZI\"><use href=\"#baddbaa17d236bd5\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/div>\n<p class=\"sc-118zqaw-8 bvmDWa\">ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission.<span class=\"disclaimer-break\"> This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u201cMost people here, I\u2019ve not even met them, but I\u2019d kiss them if I could [&#8230;] I had a good cry this morning, very emotional.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Hrgovic, 33, said: \u201cSorry guys, I know I\u2019m not [the] favourite guy here, I know they\u2019re now sad, but it is what it is. That\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/topic\/boxing\">boxing<\/a>, guys. Thanks to Dave, thanks to his team.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m really happy for this win, and I\u2019m moving forward to become heavyweight champion of the world. And yes, I started fast because I was connecting, he was open. I wanted to finish him fast to make a statement.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>It was then put to Hrgovic that he could face 21-year-old British star Moses Itauma next.<\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-awdjp1-2 cbpRGD sc-awdjp1-3 image align-center\">\n<figure class=\"sc-1cbdeug-0 cXcwgU\">\n<div data-gallery-length=\"3\" class=\"sc-awdjp1-0 ijXAiX\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2026\/03\/29\/00\/759b217b087d32300c84b81fc064e9a1Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzc0ODMwOTQx-2.84062354.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2026\/03\/29\/00\/759b217b087d32300c84b81fc064e9a1Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzc0ODMwOTQx-2.84062354.jpg?quality=75&amp;width=320&amp;auto=webp 320w, https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2026\/03\/29\/00\/759b217b087d32300c84b81fc064e9a1Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzc0ODMwOTQx-2.84062354.jpg?quality=75&amp;width=640&amp;auto=webp 640w\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Moses Itauma (left) has looked like a frightening prospect\" class=\"sc-1mc30lb-0 ggpMaE inline-gallery-btn\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"sc-1cbdeug-1 sc-1cbdeug-3 YlsWU hgzWpY\">Moses Itauma (left) has looked like a frightening prospect<span class=\"sc-1cbdeug-7 gjqsiM\"> <!-- -->(<!-- -->PA Wire<!-- -->)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u201cLook, I always told you, I want to fight with anyone in the division,\u201d said Hrgovic.\u00a0\u201cMoses, anyone [&#8230;] I never run from any opponent.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Queensberry\u2019s George Warren then said: \u201cYeah, we can [make that fight]. That fight\u2019s there, it\u2019s done. [Hrgovic] signed with Queensberry on the basis that that was one of the options for him. That\u2019s the job: try and get that fight made, and get it announced.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Hrgovic\u2019s sole professional loss came at the hands of Daniel Dubois in 2024, as a doctor waved off the bout due to the damage done to the Croat\u2019s face. Since then, Hrgovic (20-1, 15 KOs) has outpointed Joe Joyce and David Adeleye, and he made it a hat-trick of wins over British heavyweights by stopping Allen (25-9-2, 20 KOs). <\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Inside Sport newsletter: Get an expert guide to the biggest moments shaping the world of&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1902,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1901","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sports"],"featured_image_urls":{"full":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2276607109.jpeg",1200,800,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2276607109-150x150.jpeg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2276607109-300x200.jpeg",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2276607109-768x512.jpeg",640,427,true],"large":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2276607109-1024x683.jpeg",640,427,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2276607109.jpeg",1200,800,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2276607109.jpeg",1200,800,false],"covernews-slider-full":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2276607109-1115x715.jpeg",1115,715,true],"covernews-slider-center":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2276607109-800x500.jpeg",800,500,true],"covernews-featured":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2276607109-1024x683.jpeg",1024,683,true],"covernews-medium":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2276607109-540x340.jpeg",540,340,true],"covernews-medium-square":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2276607109-400x250.jpeg",400,250,true]},"author_info":{"display_name":"admin","author_link":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/?author=1"},"category_info":"<a href=\"https:\/\/betreview.net\/?cat=6\" rel=\"category\">Sports<\/a>","tag_info":"Sports","comment_count":"0","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1901","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1901"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1901\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1902"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1901"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1901"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1901"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}