Dave Allen has dangerous fight ‘in the works’ against hard-hitting 6ft 6in giant

Dave Allen has revealed that he is locked into negotiations with Zhilei Zhang.

‘The Doncaster De La Hoya’ rebounded from a unanimous decision defeat to Arslanbek Makhmudov to blow away French journeyman Karim Berredjem in 57 seconds last month.

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Keen to keep the momentum going, Allen is eyeing two more tune-up fights in the Spring, before diving back in at the deep end with Zhang this September.

“I spoke to Eddie [Hearn], so hopefully I’m going to go again soon and then [fight] on [a] Dalton Smith [undercard] in June,” Allen told First Round TV.

“Eddie mentioned one of the best heavyweights in the world, and he said, ‘Look, I think we can make this fight’…

“I think it’s going to be Zhilei Zhang.

“I think it’s going to happen. We’ve already spoken about it.

“They mentioned Zhilei Zhang to me, and I’ve never backed down from anyone in my life, and I’m not going to start with him.

“I’m hopeful I can have a couple of fights before, but I’m here to have a go.

“All I want to do is entertain everyone, and if I box Zhilei Zhang, one of two things will happen.

“Either I’ll get flattened for the first time, or he’ll be knackered after three rounds, and I’ll beat him on points.

“So we’re buzzing, aren’t we?”

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Zhang hasn’t stepped foot between the ropes since February 2025, when he was stopped inside six rounds by Agit Kabayel.

The towering 6ft 6in Chinese powerhouse had been considered one of the divisional elite not long ago.

And while he was able to flatten Deontay Wilder in June 2024, defeats to Kabayel and Joseph Parker on either side of his triumph have seen his stock fall.

Zhang has fond memories of fighting in England, having stopped Joe Joyce there in back-to-back bouts three years ago for the WBO interim heavyweight title.

The 42-year-old would no doubt jump at the chance to return to British shores after chasing fights against Derek Chisora and Daniel Dubois to no avail