Dave Allen directly confronted Johnny Fisher, telling him, “You can`t be any good; it`s simply impossible.”
The fighters are set for a rematch this Saturday at the Copper Box Arena, six months after Fisher secured a contentious split-decision victory in Saudi Arabia.
Although Allen knocked Fisher down in the fifth round of their previous bout, many felt he was unlucky not to be awarded the win.
The pair had a tense face-to-face interview as part of the build-up to their upcoming fight.
When asked about Fisher`s boxing ability, Allen responded candidly: “To be honest, I think you`re okay.”
“I believe we are both operating around the British title level. I use the word `okay` specifically when discussing boxing technique.”
“You are a tremendous athlete, phenomenal as you mentioned – you played rugby, you`re quick, strong, powerful. I`d describe you as a great athlete, but only an okay boxer.”
“I consider myself a good athlete and a very good boxer. I`m not trying to be critical, but you`ve only had 12 amateur fights and 13 professional fights?”
“It`s impossible for you to be truly good at this stage. And I`m not saying this to provoke you; I know people watching might think I am, but I`m not.”
“Being genuinely good isn`t possible yet.”
Fisher, aged 26, countered: “For me, achieving a British title would be a phenomenal accomplishment.”
Allen, 33, responded: “My point is, if you were to win a British title, it would be thanks to your athleticism and power, not your pure boxing skill.”
Fisher later stated: “I have never made predictions about my fights, whether it concerns a knockout or a first-round finish.”
“You must be ready for anything, just as you mentioned. Boxing is a difficult sport; you might land a shot in the first round, or I might, and that could be the end of it for either of us.”
Oliver Croft