Dave “White Rhino” Allen (24-7-2, 19 KO) and Arslanbek Makhmudov (20-2, 19 KO) will fight in a potentially life-changing fight for both fighters tonight in an event promoted by Matchroom at the Sheffield Arena in Sheffield, England. A vast crowd of 10,000 is expected to attend the event tonight.

Results

Bilal Fawaz (10-1-1, 3 KO) defeated Junaid Bostan (10-1-1, 8 KO) by 10-round majority decision to win the British BBBofC junior middleweight title. There was a fierce battle in which it was almost impossible to score accurately. The scores were 96-94, 96-95 for Fawaz and 95-95,

Nigerian-born Fawaz, 37, hurt Bostan in the third round with a left punch to the head. He then attacked him with punches to the arm, but was unable to get it out. In the fourth, Bostan hurt Fawaz with a powerful right hand and unloaded a storm of shots, keeping him trapped on the ropes. Somehow, Fawaz got out of the round without being stopped.

Josh Padley (17-1, 5 KO) defeated Reece Bellotti (20-7, 15 KO) by a surprisingly wide 10-round unanimous decision in a featherweight fight. Bellotti, 34, was better in action during the first six rounds, and in the sixth round he injured Padley with shots to the body.

However, Padley came back robust in the seventh set, landing some nice combinations. Bellotti seemed to lose the power of his punches in the final four rounds to allow Padley to take control. The scores were 99-92, 97-93 and 97-93. Boxing News 24 had it 6-4 for Bellotti.

Hamza Uddin (6-0, 3 KO) defeated Paul Roberts (7-7, 2 KO) in the fifth round to win the vacant British BBBofC flyweight title. Uddin, 22, dropped Roberts three times in round five. The final shot was a left to the body, sending Roberts belatedly to a knee. At this point, Robert’s corner threw in the towel. Referee Michael Alexander stopped the fight at 2:14 of the fifth round.

DAZN broadcast and walk times

Today’s event will be broadcast live on DAZN, starting at 2:00 PM ET / 11:00 AM PT. Ring walks take place approximately 4:45 PM ET / 1:45 PM PT.

Card fights

Josh Padley vs. Reece Bellotti
Junaid Bostan vs. Bilal Fawaz
Hamza Uddin vs. Paul Roberts
Ibrheem Slymond vs. James Chereji
Conner Tudsbury vs. Khalid Graidia
Joe Howarth vs. Kane Baker
Joe Hayden vs. Angelo Dragone

Two secondary heavyweight contenders, Allen and Makhmudov, hope to secure career-high prizes against top heavyweights. Allen, 33, has recent hope after his recent victory over Johnny Fisher.

For Allen and Makhmudov, this may be their last chance to taste the millions that other heavyweights are making, some of which is completely unconfirmed.

The 33-year-old British fighter Allen was considered a bust years ago, but a recent fifth-round TKO victory over Johnny Fisher on May 17 gave him a chance to turn his career around.

His promoters at Matchroom want him to face one of the aging top-class fighters if he beats Makhmudov tonight. It’s doubtful this will happen, but it was an excellent promotional strategy to generate interest in Allen fighting tonight.

Allen’s losses so far:

• Johnny Fisher
• Frazer Clarke
• David Price
• Tony Yoka
• Luis Ortiz
• Dillian Whyte
• Lenroy Thomas

Keys to today’s fight

Dave Allen: He must overcome a ferocious attack from the 6-foot-1/2-inch Makhmudov, who will come out quickly and look to beat Allen with one of his powerful shots. Makhmudov’s size and strength will make things complex for Allen if he decides to trade or stand his ground.

The high guard that Allen uses could be his downfall tonight if he uses this approach. Makhmudov is good at dealing with fighters who throw themselves in front of him. Allen will have to fight because he can’t sit idly behind a high card and hope to block everything that comes his way from the massive Russian.

Arslanbek Makhmudov: He needs to attack Allen early, strike around his high guard to hit the side of his head and stun him. When Allen gets off balance, Makhmudov has to hit him with chopping shots as strenuous as he can to take him down. If Allen decides to stay on the outside to stay out of trouble for the first four rounds, Makhmudov will have to take him down and force him to defend.