There was no controversy this time – Dave Allen made sure of it. Ringside judges were mere spectators when he knocked out Johnny Fisher in the 5th round inside a crowded Copper Box Arena last Saturday.

The two British heavyweights travelled to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for their first fight. Allen was seen as a stepping stone for the rising Fisher. However, Allen proved he still had plenty to offer.

The fight was relatively easy to score, with clear winners in each round. Allen knocked down Fisher in the fifth round and seemed to take control in the second half of the bout. But that perception was upended when two of the three judges awarded the fight to Fisher, giving the Londoner a split decision victory.

Allen never complained about the result, but the controversy surrounding the victory sparked enough interest for a rematch.

Allen said repeatedly throughout the build-up that he was going to win. There was no arrogance in what he was saying; he was confident. He then went and backed it up.

Fisher started the rematch on the back foot, using his jab to keep Allen at bay and appeared in control of the fight. But with every round, Allen raised the tempo and made Fisher work harder to keep him tamed. The harder he worked, the flaws, due to the gap in experience between the two fighters, began to show.

Allen fired a warning shot in round four. Having backed Fisher into the neutral corner, Allen dipped to his left as Fisher threw out his jab. Fisher’s gloves dropped and created room for Allen to rip through a right hand straight down the middle and find its target. Fisher took the shot well but wasn’t able to adjust.

Whenever Fisher hears the bell for the 5th round in future, Dave Allen will be on his mind. After dropping him in the 5th in their first encounter, it was the 5th yet again where Allen was at his most dangerous. This time, there was no round six.

Buoyed by his strong round four, Allen kept the pressure on and upped his work rate.

Punches came in bunches and with variety too as a bewildered Fisher looked as if he wasn’t sure what was coming next.

A big right hand looped over and found its target, then a strong left to the body followed shortly after. With the seconds ticking down in the round, Allen ripped in a left hook to the body, then followed up with a left hook thrown with malice to the head which stunned Fisher. Allen followed through with another flurry of punches which sent Fisher to the canvas.

Fisher beat the referee’s count but was clearly on shaky legs and with no choice but to retreat to the ropes. Fisher was a sitting duck.

Allen impressively threw shots with variety and precision, and it was the same combination which did the most damage yet again. The left hook to the body dropped the elbow of Fisher, leaving his chin exposed. Then Allen’s menacing left hook found its target, resulting in Fisher falling face-first to the canvas, knocked out cold.

The fans in attendance celebrated loudly, and most of the Fisher crowd showed their appreciation towards Allen, one of boxing’s good guys, too.

The win means Allen claimed his first professional title as the WBA Inter-Continental heavyweight belt was hoisted onto his shoulder. The bout included a life-changing paycheck – which will go towards changing the floor plan of the Allen household.

“My kids yeah, are going to have an ensuite and their own bathroom between them, it’s the dream really.” said Allen in the ring after the fight.

When asked what had surprised him about Johnny Fisher’s performance, Allen said, “He exaggerated the movement, which worked against him. I told him on December 22, don’t box me straight away, mate, because I’ll knock you out.

‘I’ve got the experience, I know the game inside out, and he’s tough, he’s strong, he’s got all the attributes, but I’m in with 30 more fights basically, so I knew I’d get the job done.”

Promoter Eddie Hearn revealed a rematch clause in the contract and teased a possible trilogy between the two fighters. The score is now level with one win apiece, but it was quickly shut down by Allen.

“I wouldn’t allow it to happen, it’s not good. It’s not in his best interest,” says Allen.

“Johnny Fisher is my friend. The nicest kid in the world. I said at the first press conference – if my son is half the man Johnny Fisher is now, I’d be over the moon.”

Allen’s victory returns him to a congested, domestic heavyweight division.

“There are lots of fights out there for me. I’d love to go back to Sheffield, Doncaster – as close to home as I can. I like boxing at my level. It’s good, I’m in competitive fights; I win some, I might lose some, but this is what it’s all about.“Maybe I’ll pick up a British title one day.”

Allen has been in boxing for a long time now. He’s entertained, he’s underachieved, and maybe now, at 33 years old, he might finally be ready to fulfill his potential