ALLEN COMES OUT SWINGING

English star fights to the end against giant Makhmudov

- BY MERYIN DOMIN

DAVE ALLEN was staring an inevitable defeat in the face when he was given an easier way out.

Other than a brief surge at the end of the ninth round, he had failed to make a dent in Arslanbek Makhmudov.

Allen, 33, had expected the giant Russian to start fast before fading but only the first half of his prediction had been correct.