In my encounters, I've engaged in boxing exercises with Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, and Oleksandr Usyk. However, none of these heavyweights landed a punch as forceful as 'War'.
Dave Allen, the Heavyweight Sparring Warrior, Reveals His Toughest Opponent
Stepping into the ring with some of the biggest names in boxing's heavyweight division has become David "White Rhino" Allen's forte. This prolific British boxer has exchanged blows with heavyweights like Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, Oleksandr Usyk, Wladimir Klitschko, Dillian Whyte, and Luis Ortiz - both as a sparring partner and in the paid ranks. However, it's not any of these formidable opponents that landed the hardest hits on the White Rhino.
"When it comes to sheer one-punch power, I'd say Derek Chisora takes the cake," Allen told talkSPORT.com, ahead of his rematch with Johnny Fisher. "He's a force to reckon with, and his right hand is a deadly weapon."
The power of Chisora's right hand was certainly felt by Allen. "I could see it coming, and I braced myself, but I felt it – no doubt about it," he confessed.Chisora's punches are different than those of Anthony Joshua, Allen explained. "Joshua's blows are faster and more precise, but Chisora's punches are more concussive. Joshua caused me more problems in sparring, but in terms of raw power, Chisora takes the crown."
Chisora's reputation as a heavy hitter is widespread, and even unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk agrees. During a sparring session in Ukraine, Usyk knocked Allen out on his feet, and he picked Chisora as the hardest-hitting opponent he's ever shared the ring with. "His punch was like a baseball bat," Usyk reminisced in an interview.
While Allen has sparred with almost every big-name heavyweight in his era, Chisora's impressive career (36-13) has seen him face opponents like Vitali Klitschko, David Haye, Joseph Parker, Agit Kabayel, and Fury – three times. Chisora, a former British, Commonwealth, and European heavyweight champion, is gearing up for his final bout before retirement. As the IBF mandatory for Daniel Dubois, Chisora is expected to wait patiently for his shot at the heavyweight title.
Extra Insights:
- Dave Allen's nickname "White Rhino" comes from his tall, lanky physique and his resilient fighting style.
- Allen has stopped 18 of his opponents within the distance, demonstrating his impressive punching power.
- After his defeat to Dave Allen, Derek Chisora went on to face Joseph Parker, Agit Kabayel, and Joseph Joyce, losing two of those bouts.
- Oleksandr Usyk, a former undisputed cruiserweight champion, won the WBO heavyweight title in September 2021, defeating Anthony Joshua.
Further Reading:
- Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn rematch set as negotiations progress (article link)
- Tyson Fury's manager names the one fight 'Gypsy King' will come out of retirement for (article link)
- Johnny Fisher vs Dave Allen 2 LIVE: Start time, undercard, and how to follow as Brit rivals meet again (article link)
- Manny Pacquiao's latest training footage ahead of comeback fight leaves fans concerned (article link)
In the realm of sports, David "White Rhino" Allen has not only sparred with heavyweight boxing champions but also engaged in professional fights with formidable adversaries. Yet, it's not any of these competitors that landed the hardest punches on him, but Derek Chisora, whose right hand is fearsome and likened to a baseball bat by former opponent, Oleksandr Usyk. Chisora's exceptional boxing career, marked by formidable opponents like David Haye, Joseph Parker, and Tyson Fury, will continue until his anticipated final fight, when he is expected to challenge for the IBF heavyweight title.
