Dave Allen falls short on big stage as Arslanbek Makhmudov defeats Brit

Dave Allen's attempt to gatecrash the upper echelons of the heavyweight division started slowly and quickly fizzled out against Arslanbek Makhmudov.

Allen had whipped himself into the shape of his life for the biggest fight of his career against the giant Russian. And he hoped victory against the formidable but twice-beaten visitor would land him a money-spinning clash with Deontay Wilder.

The crowd favourite appeared willing to concede the early rounds in the hope Makhmudov would tire - but other than brief flashes, Allen failed to make a dent on the 6ft 6in beast from the East. All three judges were in agreement after 12 rounds, giving Makhmudov the nod by scores of 115-111, 116-110 and 117-109.

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Allen landed a left hook in the opening seconds which gave Makhmudov pause for thought. But the Russian immediately looked to connect with his huge right hand as he edged the opener. Makhmudov was refusing to give Allen space as he suffocated him on the ropes. The Doncaster attempted to target the visitor's body but slipped low with a left, earning a warning from referee Steve Gray.

Once recovered, Makhmudov upped the ante as he looked to unload on Allen who was grasping at thin air in response - but he did land to head and body with his left hand in the dying stages of the second round. Allen was content to soak up punishment in the hope Makhmudov would tire - but in doing so allowed another session to slip by.

Makhmudov connected with a right hand in the fourth round as he continued to assert his dominance. Allen roused the crowd from its slumber with a hook-uppercut combination in the fifth as he finally registered on the scoreboard.

But the Russian was showing little sign of punching himself out as he started strongly in the sixth to ensure he took a commanding lead into the second half. And Makhmudov looked in little trouble as he cruised through the seventh against a shot-shy Allen - until he was deducted a point for continually holding.

Allen was attempting to walk down Makhmudov but remained reluctant to throw as his rival continued to out-land the home favourite who by the ninth round needed at least a knockdown.

Allen managed to dislodge Makhmudov's gumshield in the ninth round but he was failing to follow up his shots and the Russian remained in control. Allen did have the visitor in trouble in the final 20 seconds, however, with the bell coming to his rescue.

Allen couldn't seize the initiative, however, as Makhmudov regained his composure heading into the final two rounds. Allen needed a stoppage by now but was still unable, or unwilling, to let his hands go.

Makhmudov was showing little sign of being spent - and even the deduction of another point for holding in the final three minutes wasn't enough to turn the tide.