Johnny Fisher's controversial victory over Dave Allen did not even convince his own father, who felt his son had lost for the first time as a professional.
The fans' favorite heavyweights clashed in Riyadh as part of a star-studded undercard for Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk's world title rematch. Fisher came in as a monstrous favorite to beat Allen, who had retired four times previously and was in the midst of another late-career comeback.
However, the Doncaster native put in the performance of his life and looked clear to win, especially after setting up Fisher in the fifth. However, in a controversial split decision, Fisher was awarded the win.
Johnny Fisher wins a very controversial victory over Dave Allen
In the first major heavyweight fight of the evening in Riyadh, Johnny Fisher was expected to score a comfortable victory against Dave Allen. The Romford Bull has been on the rise for years and all but one of the fights to date have gone this far.
Meanwhile, Allen is known as something of a barometer on the British heavyweight scene, testing prospects but generally losing on the biggest stage. However, he overcame the setbacks in the early rounds and looked all the better after the ten rounds.
Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images
Allen even had Fisher down in the fifth, unloading the tank as he pushed for the knockout. From then on it seemed as if the popular Essex native was struggling to get his feet back on the ground, and it seemed to everyone as if the underdog had done enough to win.
However, when the judges' scorecards were read out, it was Fisher who took the win via split decision. The result was widely booed and an emotional Allen was visibly angry at what happened as his biggest win to date appeared to have been stolen from him.
One Direction star Louis Tomlinson leads the charge in Dave Allen's devastating result
The result caused massive uproar on social media, with fans and pundits all concluding that Allen had done enough to warrant a win. A leading voice was One Direction star Louis Tomlinson, a classmate of the fighter's Doncaster.
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Tomlinson made a rare appearance on Absolutely robbed of the judges. You've done yourself proud, mate!'
This was a view widely shared among other viewers, with one adding: “That is an absolutely horrific robbery. Johnny Fisher didn't win that fight. I'm not a fan of Dave Allen, but that's a shameful decision. Horrible.”
Johnny Fisher's father admits Dave Allen should have won a controversial fight
And it seems even Fisher's own family believed the outcome should have gone the other way. In a video shared to Queensberry Promotions' Instagram page, Allen was seen hugging John Fisher Sr., who is also a notorious social media personality.
“Dave, listen,” you could see him say in an emotional moment. “Great fight, it is what it is, I thought you were over it, I thought you were just over it, but you showed heart and courage.”
Allen then told the elder Fisher that he felt the promotion pushed his son too quickly to a level he isn't ready for at age 25.
John Fisher has since issued a more measured statement on social media, saying: “Thank you to everyone who supported both boxers tonight. A brutal fight that shows how tough boxing is.
“Johnny is quite emotional and wanted to make sure he showed his heart. Big love to Dave Allen who showed his class.”
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