Dave Allen Wants to “Be Really Rich” by Beating Arslanbek Makhmudov

Dave Allen says his motivation for choosing Arslanbek Makhmudov as his opponent is that he wants to be “rich.” A victory over the heavyweight contender Makhmudov (20-2, 19 KOs) will put Allen (24-7-2, 19 KOs) in position for a bigger name to get a huge payday.

Allen vs. Makhmudov will headline on DAZN in a 12-round fight on October 11th at the Sheffield Arena in Sheffield, England. The powerful 6’6″ Makhmudov is expected to be the favorite to win.

Allen’s Pursuit of Wealth

“When I got the list of names sent to me, I thought, ‘I might as well make the most of it while we’re here.’ So, I picked Makmhudov,” said Dave Allen to Sky Sports Boxing about why he selected Arslanbek Makhmudov as his opponent for his headliner on October 11th.

Allen didn’t mention the other four names that were offered to him for his October 11th gig. Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn likely selected some guys that Dave would have needed a miracle to beat. As such, choosing Makhmuov is him wisely going with the least undesirable option. While Arslanbek is powerful, he’s vulnerable and has a 2-2 record in his last four fights.

White Rhino’s Path to Riches

“He’s big and it’ll fill the Sheffield arena. I know if I beat him, it’ll send me to really big fights. The motivation is that I want to be really rich if I beat him. If I beat him, I’ll be so rich. It’ll be unbelievable,” said Allen. “I’m not worried about him. I just want to beat him, have another big fight, and hopefully chill out for the rest of my life.”

Promoter Eddie Hearn already told Allen that if he defeats Makhmudov, he could fight Deontay Wilder, Anthony Joshua, or Joseph Parker. Those would be bouts that would pay Allen life-changing money, potentially enough to set him up for life. He’d be moderately wealthy, but not on the level of British journeyman fighters, Derek Chisora or Dillian Whyte. Those two are millionaires despite never having won heavyweight world titles.

Underdog Allen’s Strategy

“I thrive on it,” said Allen about being the underdog. “Every time I’m expected to win, I get beat,” said Allen. “I’m not very good with pressure. That’s why I picked Makhmudov. I think a lot of people will expect Makhmudov to beat me, but I like that. I like to shock.”

Makhmudov’s Recent Decline

Dave is catching Makhmudov at the right time, as he’s lost two out of his last four fights. He was knocked out by Agit Kabayel in four rounds in 2023. The defeat that showed how much the 36-year-old Makhmudov had lost from his game was his 8th-round knockout loss to Guido Vianello in 2024. That guy isn’t a big puncher. Getting knocked out by him showed that Arslanbek has aged.

“I think when Makhmudov gets in there with me, I think a lot of fighters will agree that I’m defensively cute than they expect. I’m a lot stronger than they think. I don’t look like particularly much. I think I can beat Makhmudov. I am the underdog, but I think I have the right style to beat him,” said Allen.

At 36, Makhmudov appears to have slowed since his fight against Carlos Takam in 2022. That version of Makhmudov would likely be far too powerful for Dave Allen. Takam went the 10-round distance, but he was dropped in rounds 1 and 7. The shots that Makhmudov landed on Takam in that fight would be far too powerful for Allen to withstand. He doesn’t possess the same iron chin.