Joshua vs Pulev: David Allen to fight Lenroy Thomas for Commonwealth title again
Friday 8 September 2017 16:15, UK
David Allen says he will either "gain revenge or retire" after his rematch with Lenroy Thomas was confirmed for the Anthony Joshua-Kubrat Pulev undercard.
The Doncaster heavyweight suffered an agonising split-decision defeat to Thomas in their Commonwealth title clash in May, but they will meet again on the undercard for Joshua-Pulev at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on October 28, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
Allen has already been training for weeks in preparation, as the 25-year-old believes another setback could signal the end of his promising career.
"When I got the green light for Lenroy I was over the moon," Allen told Sky Sports. "It didn't matter if it was at Wembley, Cardiff, or in my back garden. I just want to get my hands on him.
"The Commonwealth title is very nice and I'm very excited to win it, but it's all about righting that wrong. I feel like I let a lot of people down. I just need to beat him and never hear the man's name again.
This is revenge or retire, because luckily I've been given a second opportunity and this time at my best. If I don't turn up in shape against Lenroy Thomas, then I am done.
"I do like him, but afterwards I'll block him on every bit of social media I've got. I don't want to see that man's face or name again.
"For me, this is revenge or retire, because luckily I've been given a second opportunity and this time at my best. If I don't turn up in shape against Lenroy Thomas, then I am done. This is it, my final chance."
'The White Rhino' has appeared on a number of high-profile bills in recent months - including Anthony Joshua-Eric Molina, David Haye-Tony Bellew and Kell Brook-Errol Spence - and is eager to entertain new fans in his first fight outside England.
"This is my fourth time on pay-per-view in 10 months. I should be called David 'PPV Panther' Allen!" he said.
"Aside from the unification fights, and possibly Luis Ortiz, there is no better fight out there right now for Joshua than Pulev. It should be a great night.
"Boxing abroad is very new for me," he joked. "But this is about getting Lenroy Thomas out of my life."
Kal Yafai will also defend his WBA super-flyweight title against Sho Ishida on the Joshua-Pulev bill, while Frank Buglioni and Callum Johnson battle for the British and Commonwealth light-heavyweight titles, with more fights to be revealed.
Watch Joshua vs Pulev, live from the Principality Stadium, Cardiff, on Saturday, October 28, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
