Dave Allen's win over Johnny Fisher proves nice guys don't always finish last
Lewis Watson 
Dave Allen's boxing career has been nothing short of a roller coaster.
The 33-year-old owns a 24-7-2 record, has been stopped at the hands of some big, big punchers but has this past weekend recorded one of the biggest victories of his career.
The "White Rhino", the outsider with online bookmakers, dropped and stopped the younger, fresher "Romford Bull" Johnny Fisher in five rounds inside London's Copper Box, righting the wrongs of a contested split decision loss to Fisher back in December of last year
Free Bets boxing expert Lewis Watson looks back at Saturday's big clash.
After a slow start to the scheduled 10-rounder, Allen's powerful overhand rights and stiff jabs began to wear down the previously unbeaten Fisher, before a devastating left hook closed the show in the fifth.
Allen has these performances in him, but after a mini-retirement a few years ago, it was unclear whether he could muster the magic that saw him stop Nick Webb and Lucas Browne in 2018-19, both as an underdog.
"The first fight did me the world of good," Allen said after having his hand raised. "I put a bit of weight on for the body shots. I knew it would pay dividends, took the risk and got [the title]. I'm the fattest, hardest man you'll ever see. This means everything to me. I've been written off so many times.
"You know what it means? The belt, everything, my kids. I'm gonna have an en suite, they'll have their own bathroom between them. At this level, I'm a handful. He over exaggerated the movement, which worked against him.
"I've got experience, I know the game inside-out. I'm him, but with 30 more fights basically. I've said all along he's my friend. He's a very good friend of mine."
Allen has always been known as one of British boxing's "nice guys" and even the sold out renamed "Copper Bosh" found it hard to begrudge a win for Allen over their man Fisher.
He has shown modesty, honesty and vulnerability over his 13-year pro career, and perhaps now his career will start bearing late fruit.
This isn't to say that Allen should be exploited by promoters who will now be queuing up to get Allen a homecoming fight in Sheffield or Doncaster. He has shown signs of a tough career in the fight game in previous interviews, and his struggles with mental health should be noted before throwing him into another big fight with a heavy-handed heavyweight.
But for now, it's for Allen to enjoy. Following his 19th career stoppage win, former unified heavyweight world champion, and sparring partner of Allen, Anthony Joshua, posted the following on Instagram in tribute.
“Dave was suicidal, a gambling addict who everyone thought was finished a few years ago. Now he’s got a family, a few hundred thousand pounds, and his biggest win. BOXING.”
Dave Allen has always stated that he needs boxing to stay sane. It's now more important than ever that he realises boxing doesn't need him, and his health is more important than any next decision he makes for his career.
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