Usyk v Fury 2: Johnny Fisher battles past Dave Allen after epic scrap ...

Johnny Fisher came through the biggest test of his career to win a split-decision victory over fellow Briton Dave Allen in Riyadh.

The judges gave the result as 95-94 95-94 in favour of Fisher, and 96-93 for Allen, giving Fisher the WBA Intercontinental heavyweight belt after a hard-fought scrap for both men.

Fisher and Allen offered a brilliant match-up on paper, and then on the night. They respected one another, but when fight week approached, both were utterly confident that they would emerge the winner.

Allen had put back-to-back wins together this year after 2023's defeat to Frazer Clarke in Manchester, but with six defeats to his name, another loss would have been a damaging blow to his career prospects.

In the fifth round, a left-hook had Fisher wobbling, stumbling and looking in danger of a surprise stoppage. Allen had his opponent rattled and offered almost nothing once he was back on his feet.

The pair spent the final minute of the round swinging at each other, and sometimes into thin air, before touching gloves in another sign of mutual recognition.

Allen continued to deal out punishment into the seventh, with some scorecards given the first four to Fisher, and Allen the following three.

The two continued to slug it out over the remaining three rounds and Allen collapsed to the ground in exhaustion at the closing bell.

Either man could have won the fight with little argument, but Fisher got the nod. A rematch after such an even and entertaining bout looks more than likely now.

In the opening fight of the night, Mohammed Alakel defeated journeyman Joshua Ocampo, before Andrii Novytskyi won a unanimous decision over Edgar Ramirez for the WBC international heavyweight belt. 

Peter McGrail beat Rhys Edwards, and Daniel Lapin beat Dylan Colin for the vacant IBF international light heavyweight strap.

Lee McGregor dominated Isaac Lowe as he claimed the WBC international featherweight strap, with Lowe docked two points for failing to keep his mouthguard in.

Oleksandr Usyk’s compatriot Serhii Bohuchuk defeated late replacement Isaac Lowe after the Briton retired in the sixth round.

The win in the WBC title eliminator puts Bohuchuk in the frame for a light middleweight title challenge.

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