One day after Dave “White Rhino” Allen flattened Johnny “Romford Bull” Fisher in round five of their Copper Box rematch to level the rivalry at 1-1, Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn confirmed that a trilogy fight is already mapped out for 2026. “Johnny needs two learning fights; Dave will box at least twice too,” Hearn told reporters in London. “Then we settle it properly.”
Saturday’s result flipped the December narrative in Riyadh, where Fisher edged a split decision many felt should have gone to Allen. This time the 33-year-old veteran soaked up early pressure before nailing Fisher with a short left hand that left the Essex ticket-seller face-down and brought the referee’s halt at 2:11 of the eighth.
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Hearn revealed Allen has signed a two-bout deal under the Matchroom banner, with a Sheffield homecoming among the options. The promoter says the fan-favourite will now be “built, not thrown in” while Hearn’s domestic heavyweight roster sits largely with rival Frank Warren.
For Fisher the knockout loss forces a reset. “You weren’t good enough; you got old-manned,” Hearn admitted, but insisted the Romford Bull can still reach British-title level with the right seasoning.
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