Dave Allen unsurprised by Filip Hrgovic’s win over Moses Itauma… and jokes his loss looks even better now

DAVE ALLEN warned anyone who would listen not to rule out Filip Hrgovic against Moses Itauma – with his loss now looking better than ever. Allen was beaten in three one-sided rounds by Hrgovic in May – setting up the Croatian to face Itauma for the IBF heavyweight world title. Dave Allen was beaten in three rounds by Filip Hrgovic Credit: Getty And Moses Itauma was beaten in round nine Credit: Getty And Doncaster’s Allen predicted before the bout that it could be too much too soon for Itauma – who came into the fight with just 31 rounds under his belt. The 21-year-old had never gone past the sixth in his 14 professional outings – and showed his inexperience in the ring. Sign up for the Sport newsletter Thank you! Allen, 34, told SunSport: “That was one of the outcomes I could see happening. “If I had to pick, I would have said the Itauma, but that was an outcome I think a lot of people saw coming, experience, toughness, the proven guy won. “He’d only been six rounds before, twice, five rounds once. There’s two six rounders against journeyman. “You can’t beat experienced, 31 rounds and you’re fighting Filip Hrgovic. “Filip Hrgovic, I kept trying to tell people, is not bad. I got loads of stick after I lost to him and I was like, ‘He’s not bad! “He’s proven it he’s the real deal, isn’t he?” Most read in Sport BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS The Home of Boxing in 2026 There's a massive year of boxing ahead! It has already been a blockbuster year inside the ring, and it is not going to stop anytime soon! All eyes are focused on when Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury will get in the ring, with the pair due to finally settle their decade-long rivalry. Katie Taylor calls time on her illustrious career this weekend at Croke Park as she faces Flora Pili, with the chance to become a three-time undisputed champion. Conor Benn fights for his first world title one week later against Ryan Garcia in Las Vegas – it is The Destroyer’s second bout for Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing. October’s action doesn’t stop either, with Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois facing off in the rematch of their thrilling fight in May, while Canelo Alvarez returns against Christian Mbili on Halloween. Here’s all the big fights coming up… September Sat 5 – Katie Taylor vs Flora Pili – DAZN Sat 12 – Conor Benn vs Ryan Garcia – DAZN Sep 12 – Jai Opetaia vs Noel Mikaelian Sat 19 – Isaac Cruz vs Nestor Bravo – DAZN October Sat 3 – Ben Whittaker vs Conor Wallace – DAZN Sat 17 – Daniel Dubois vs Fabio Wardley 2 – DAZN Sat 31 – Canelo Alvarez vs Christian Mbili – DAZN *If you click a link in this boxout, we will earn affiliate revenue. Itauma, 21, floored Hrgovic, 34, in the second and won every round thereafter. But he continued to box like a man who needed the knockout – despite being streets ahead on the scorecards. Eventually, he ran out of gas and energy and was stopped in round nine after being left in a state of exhaustion. Allen admitted he was gutted for his countryman – but joked his loss to Hrgovic has aged even better overnight. He said: “I feel for Itauma, but I’m quite happy!” Comment now