Dave Allen Knocks Out Johnny Fisher in Rematch at Copper Box

The rematch between Johnny Fisher and Dave Allen at London’s Copper Box Arena was a contest shaped by the controversy of their first meeting and the burning desire of both men to settle the score. Their initial clash in Saudi Arabia had divided the boxing public, with Fisher surviving a knockdown in the fifth round to edge a disputed decision on the scorecards. The result split at 95-94 twice for Fisher and 96-93 for Allen, left both fighters with unfinished business and set the stage for a rematch that promised clarity and closure.

From the opening bell, the atmosphere inside the Copper Box was electric, the ‘Romford Bull Army’ in full voice as Johnny Fisher entered, his unbeaten record and rising profile adding to the anticipation. Both fighters began cautiously, each aware of the other’s power and the stakes. Fisher, the younger man at 26, looked to establish his jab and found early success targeting Allen’s body. Allen, 33, brought his trademark composure and experience, pressing forward behind his jab and looking to set up his right hand.

The early rounds saw Fisher working well behind a stiff jab, mixing in uppercuts to Allen’s body and doubling up on his shots. He was warned in the second round for tapping Allen on the head, a sign of the physical and psychological battle unfolding in the ring. Allen, meanwhile, was content to soak up the pressure, and his coach, Jamie Moore, urged him to increase his speed and activity. The third round saw Allen backed up against the ropes, but he remained dangerous, firing back with hooks and jabs of his own. Fisher’s bodywork appeared to be having an effect, and there were moments when Allen looked uncomfortable under the sustained attacks.

As the fight moved into the fourth, the tempo increased. Allen began to find his rhythm, landing his first clean shot to the top of Fisher’s head and responding to the body attacks with hooks of his own. The exchanges grew more intense, both men trading shots in the centre of the ring. Fisher landed a right hook on Allen’s head, but Allen answered with a left hook to the body, signalling his intent to turn the tide. The competitive nature of the bout was evident, with neither man willing to give ground. Fisher’s youth and athleticism were apparent, but Allen’s experience and ring craft kept him firmly in the contest.

The pivotal fifth round unfolded with a sense of inevitability. Allen, sensing his moment, pressed forward with renewed aggression. He landed a massive right hand on Fisher’s chin, a shot Fisher did well to absorb, but the momentum had shifted. Allen then targeted the body, visibly hurting Fisher and forcing him onto the ropes. With Fisher dazed and trying to survive, Allen unleashed a barrage of punches. The first knockdown came as Fisher slumped to the canvas, the result of a heavy assault. Displaying the heart that had defined his rise, Fisher beat the count and attempted to fight on, but Allen was relentless. With just seconds left in the round, Allen connected with a devastating left hook that sent Fisher face down to the canvas as the towel came in from Fisher’s corner. The referee waved off the contest at the bell, awarding Allen a conclusive fifth-round knockout victory.

The aftermath was a scene of contrasting emotions. Fisher, who had entered as the favourite and unbeaten, suffered his first professional defeat, his record now standing at 13-1 with 11 knockouts. Allen, whose career has been marked by ups and downs, celebrated one of his finest moments, improving to 24-7-2 with 19 knockouts. The win avenged his controversial loss in December and reaffirmed his status as a dangerous and capable heavyweight on the domestic scene.

Allen’s victory was as much about vindication as it was about skill. He had been the aggressor for much of the contest, and his tactics and timing ultimately proved too much for Fisher. The knockout was a brutal reminder of the risks inherent in heavyweight boxing, and Allen’s left hook will be remembered as one of the year’s most dramatic finishes. For Fisher, the defeat raises questions about his readiness for the next level, but his willingness to take the immediate rematch and his courage in the ring earned him respect, even in defeat.

As the dust settled, Allen’s post-fight remarks captured the spirit of the occasion. Embraced by his coach, Jamie Moore, Allen joked about his future and plans to continue boxing for another 22 months, relishing his role as a gatekeeper for the next generation of British heavyweights.

Having witnessed a definitive conclusion to one of the domestic scene’s most talked-about rivalries, the crowd left with no doubt about the outcome. The score between Johnny Fisher and Dave Allen now stands at one apiece, but with Allen’s emphatic knockout, the narrative belongs firmly to the ‘White Rhino.’