Dave Allen has put his hand up to be the heavy hitter Tyson Fury uses as a summer tune-up ahead of Fury’s planned showdown with Anthony Joshua later in 2026. With Joshua reportedly taking a comeback fight in July, Fury could follow with a warm-up bout, and the Doncaster heavyweight wants that spot.
No name has been confirmed for Fury’s likely summer fight, but Allen has offered himself, saying a win over Filip Hrgovic on Saturday would force Fury’s camp to take notice. Allen insists even a competitive loss would boost his chances of getting the big call.
Allen knows the task is daunting: he meets Hrgovic in Doncaster, a man who could pose another brutal test after Allen’s 12-round defeat to Arslanbek Makhmudov last October. Fury beat Makhmudov on his recent return, underlining the level of opposition Allen is preparing for.
Allen points out he has faced a string of top amateurs and Olympians — Hrgovic will be the fourth Olympic medallist he has boxed — and believes his experience and speed give him a real shot at upsetting expectations. He says he’s relaxed going into the fight, putting the pressure on Hrgovic to perform in Allen’s backyard.
There’s also a domestic angle: if Hrgovic defeats Allen convincingly and comes through unscathed, he could move toward a high-profile match with rising contender Moses Itauma, who is due back in the ring in August. Promoter Frank Warren confirmed discussions are ongoing and said a decision on Hrgovic’s next opponent should be made next week.
Allen has been straight-talking about his ambitions — joking he’s even sold tickets so Hrgovic can come for an easy win and then call out Itauma — but he insists his training has been serious and he expects to prove himself on Saturday. He believes he can surprise Hrgovic with quicker hands and better movement than many expect.
Reflecting on last weekend’s brutal Wardley-Dubois clash, Allen admitted he won’t take inspiration from that kind of war. He described the fight as “terrifying,” praising Dubois’ left hand and jab as decisive weapons. Allen called it one of the most intense heavyweight contests he’s seen but said the sustained punishment in the later rounds made it uncomfortable viewing.
If Allen can produce an eye-catching performance against Hrgovic — win or lose — he thinks he can push himself into the conversation for a Fury tune-up, staking a claim for a role on the path to a Fury–Joshua showdown. Whether Fury’s team will be convinced remains to be seen, but Allen is making sure they can’t ignore him.