Dave Allen says he will retire if he loses to Thomas Carty

British heavyweight Dave Allen has admitted he had no idea what Croke Park was when first offered a place on the historic fight card headlined by Katie Taylor’s final bout. The 34-year-old from Doncaster will face Dublin’s Thomas Carty at the iconic stadium on September 5, in a contest that could determine the future of his career.

Allen, known as "The White Rhino," stated that if he loses this fight, he will retire. He has built a reputation for durability against elite opposition, but acknowledged that another defeat would leave him with nowhere else to go. Despite the high stakes, Allen insisted the challenge of fighting in a hostile Dublin environment does not bring added pressure.

He enters the ring with a record of 26 wins and 9 losses, facing an unbeaten Irish heavyweight in Carty, who holds an 11-1 record with nine knockouts. Allen believes Carty is technically the better boxer but expects his own experience, toughness, and punching power to prove decisive as the fight progresses. He predicted a familiar pattern where he absorbs early pressure before landing decisive blows in the later rounds.

For Thomas Carty, this bout represents the biggest opportunity of his career....