David Allen targets British title shot against Sam Sexton and domestic clash with Ian Lewison in 2017
Friday 13 January 2017 16:31, UK
David Allen hopes to fight Sam Sexton for the vacant British heavyweight title and has also set his sights on a domestic clash with Ian Lewison in 2017.
The Doncaster man has put himself forward as a replacement opponent for Sexton, who was due to challenge British champion Dillian Whyte, before the Brixton fighter confirmed his decision to vacate the belt this week.
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Allen returns to action on the Gavin McDonnell-Rey Vargas undercard in Hull on February 25, live on Sky Sports, and hopes to prove he is ready for a British title shot after emerging with credit from a stoppage loss to Luis Ortiz in December.
“The British title is the one title that I want to win,” Allen told Sky Sports. “Not many people at 24 can tick off a lifelong ambition, so it would be nice.
“I have been in with Luis Ortiz, I have been in with Dillian Whyte. I have boxed the best in the world. If I can get a win, maybe two, I’m right there.”
Referring to Sexton’s recent record, Allen said: “He has only boxed eastern European journeyman, that’s it, so it will be a shock to the system when he fights someone who comes to win first and foremost.
He has only boxed eastern European journeyman, that’s it, so it will be a shock to the system when he fights someone who comes to win first and foremost.
“I’m better than him anyway. I'm going to be vocal about it. I do want to build-up, but I see Sam Sexton as a build-up fight anyway. If it’s for a British title as well, that’s just a bonus.”
Domestic rival Lewison was stopped in the 10th round of an entertaining British title battle with Whyte last October and Allen would welcome a future fight with the Londoner.
“I would love to fight Sexton, beat him, and then fight Ian Lewison – that would be brilliant,” said Allen.
“Everyone wants to see me and Ian Lewison. We both can punch, we’re both tough, and it would be a great fight.”
But ‘The White Rhino’ is not looking past his next fight in a few weeks and has returned to training after recovering from a nasty tongue injury.
“You’re going to see a slimline rhino, that’s what you’re going to see," said the 24-year-old. "I’m going to be very fit, I’m training hard, and this is a big opportunity. Eddie [Hearn] has given me this chance and I’m going to grab it.
"I showed a little bit in the Ortiz fight, but I was morbidly obese so I couldn’t do it for too long.
"My tongue will be ready for the press conference in February. Some poor Hungarian is going to get the worst of my bilingual trash talk.”
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