Dave Allen has spoken out about the bizarre ending to his heavyweight bout with Thomas Carty on the Katie Taylor undercard at Croke Park, revealing that he plans to challenge the official result.
The fight was ruled a no contest after just 90 seconds when Allen unintentionally caught Carty behind the head during a clinch. Carty then went face-first through the ropes and fell to the floor outside the ring, leaving him unable to continue.
Allen insisted the shot was accidental, explaining that he had been aiming around Carty’s ear before the Irishman turned his head. “I’ve caught him behind the head, not on purpose,” Allen said. “He’s turned into it and he’s gone through the ropes.”
The British heavyweight also questioned why referee Emile Tiedt did not begin a count, arguing that the same sequence in the middle of the ring could have resulted in a stoppage victory.
“It is a no contest,” Allen said. “I probably will speak to the boxing board and ask if it can be overturned to a win. People might say what for, but I felt I was going to win the fight.”
Image Credit: Sky Sports