Combat & UFC

Dave Allen Predicts AJ Babatunde Will Knock Out Philip Hrgovic in One Round

The Ariel Helwani Show · Dave Allen Says He's DONE With Boxing If He Loses at Croke, Usyk Vacating, Eddie Hearn Relationship · July 1, 2026

The Ariel Helwani Show

Dave Allen Says He's DONE With Boxing If He Loses at Croke, Usyk Vacating, Eddie Hearn Relationship

"I made comments saying a time would knock him out and I think he will. I'm going to double down on it. I think a time will knock him out in one in one round. Too fast for him. He's too fast for him. I think he's the next big thing."

Allen made a bold prediction that British heavyweight prospect AJ Babatunde will knock out Philip Hrgovic—the man who stopped Allen himself—in just one round. Allen called Babatunde 'the next big thing' and suggested Oleksandr Usyk has put the heavyweight torch 'in the air' by vacating his titles, with multiple fighters now competing to become the division's next dominant force. Allen acknowledged his prediction has irritated Hrgovic.

About this episode

British heavyweight Dave Allen returned to the show to discuss his upcoming fight against Thomas Cardi on Katie Taylor's retirement card at Croke Park on September 5th before an expected crowd of 85,000. Allen, known as 'the White Rhino' from Doncaster, made headlines by announcing he will retire after his 40th professional fight if he cannot defeat Cardi, whom he views as a fighter at the level he should be beating at this stage of his career. The 31-year-old fighter opened up about the controversial ending to his recent loss against Philip Hrgovic in Doncaster, revealing he was 'highly pissed off' when his corner threw in the towel in the third round. Allen defended himself against accusations he was a 'con man' who didn't prepare properly, insisting he trained hard and felt robbed of his opportunity to leave everything in the ring on his homecoming night. Despite the public criticism, Allen confirmed he's staying with his longtime coaches after having an honest conversation about the stoppage. Allen also discussed his burgeoning career as a manager and promoter, revealing he now manages 17 fighters and negotiated slots for them on major cards as part of his Cardi fight deal, prioritizing his fighters' opportunities over his own purse. He made a bold prediction that AJ Babatunde will knock out Hrgovic in one round, calling Babatunde 'the next big thing' in the heavyweight division. Allen revealed he's fighting again in three weeks at a self-promoted show in Doncaster before the Cardi bout, maintaining his active schedule. The unfiltered fighter also shared his thoughts on the Rico Verhoeven-Oleksandr Usyk controversy, Jon Jones potentially boxing, and his belief that there's 'nothing he can't do' after boxing, including potential ventures into WWE and other entertainment.

Key takeaways

Dave Allen announces he will retire after his 40th fight if he loses to Thomas Cardi at Croke Park on September 5th in front of 85,000 fans
Allen publicly criticized his coach for throwing in the towel against Philip Hrgovic, saying he was 'highly pissed off' and felt robbed of his opportunity
The British heavyweight defended himself against accusations of being a 'con man' after the Hrgovic loss, insisting he trained properly and was prepared to leave everything in the ring
Allen now manages 17 fighters and negotiated their placement on major cards as part of his Cardi fight deal, prioritizing their opportunities over his own purse
Allen predicts AJ Babatunde will knock out Philip Hrgovic in one round and calls him 'the next big thing' in heavyweight boxing
The fighter revealed he's competing again in three weeks at a self-promoted show in Doncaster before facing Cardi, maintaining an extremely active schedule
Allen believes Rico Verhoeven was robbed against Oleksandr Usyk and that Jon Jones boxing would be 'farcical' despite being 'probably the hardest man that's ever lived'

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