Popular British heavyweight Dave Allen makes a sensational return to the ring on Saturday evening when facing big-punching Russian Arslanbek Makhmudov.
The title hopefuls clash at the Sheffield Arena in a showdown you can follow live on DAZN. It’s the most important night of Allen’s career, but will he shake off the underdog tag and bank a huge win?
The leading online bookmakers have seized on the excitement surrounding the Allen vs Makhmudov fight, offering a long list of eye-catching betting markets and promotions. Fight fans can predict the winner or play the fight-night specials, including total rounds, method of victory and winning round. There’s a market and a bet to suit every gambler and budget, but which is best in Sheffield?
Former professional boxer and respected sports betting writer Frank Monkhouse returns to give TalkSPORT readers his in-depth preview and predictions. He walks you through the form of both the Englishman and Russian, uncovering the most useful betting markets and explaining which bookies have the biggest odds. In short, he has everything you need to target a profit with a well-researched prediction on Allen vs Makhmudov.
Allen vs Makhmudov odds
Arslanbek is the high-rated fighter and the man most followers of the noble art expect to win this weekend. That’s reflected in the pre-fight betting odds, with the Canadian-based Russian installed as the betting favourite leading to the opening bell. It’s no surprise to see traders side with a man boasting a bone-crushing 95% knockout average, but can Makhmudov mark his first fight in the United Kingdom with a win against such a well-followed opponent? We’ll get an answer to that question very soon.
Allen will duck between the ropes on fight night as the underdog and a man many believe doesn’t stand a chance. Critics say an always ambitious Dave has bitten off more than he can chew here, and his opponent will dish out a punishing lesson, sending him into retirement. It’s worth knowing that Allen asked promoter Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Sports to make this bout happen, targeting Makhmudov’s scalp when there were many easier opponents available. The Englishman wants to prove once and for all that he belongs in elite company and a win would move him into contention for a world title shot.
- Dave Allen – 1/1 at Betfred
- Arslanbek Makhmudov – 5/6 at Betfred
- Draw – 16/1 at Betfred
*odds correct at the time of writing
Allen vs Makhmudov outcome odds
Picking the winner of Saturday’s bout is the simplest way to gamble on Allen vs Makhmudov, but it’s not the only option available to bettors. The method of victory is a fantastic approach that tasks you with predicting both the winning fighter and how they’ll achieve the result – on points or by stoppage. Getting this one right is more challenging than the fight-winner, but the rewards often make it worth the risk.
During my career in boxing and sports betting content, I’ve found that studying the stats and form often leads to a method of victory score. It’s not always accurate, as boxing is famous for producing upset and shock results. Bouts can change with a single punch, but sticking with the numbers will see you land more winners than losers.
Here are the current Allen vs Makhmudov method of victory odds and options.
- Dave Allen win on points – 6/1 at bet365
- Dave Allen by KO/TKO – 7/4 at bet365
- Arslanbek Makhmudov win on points – 8/1 at bet365
- Arslanbek Makhmudov by KO/TKO – 6/5 at bet365
*odds correct at the time of writing
According to the odds compilers, the most likely outcome on Saturday is Arslanbek Makhmudov to win inside the distance. It doesn’t matter if he lands a first-round knockout or a TKO in the final seconds, as long as he wins before the final bell, you get the profits. Allen’s best chance of claiming victory is a points win, according to the betting.
Final roll of the dice for Allen
Dave Allen is a British heavyweight boxer who brings a record of 27 wins against seven defeats and two draws. The puncher from Yorkshire has claimed 19 of his victories inside the distance, resulting in a 79% knockout average. He also won his last fight before the end of round five when downing Johnny Fisher.
It’s also worth noting that Dave lost the last time he went to points. That suggests traders are wrong going short on Allen to win on the scorecards. If you’re backing the Englishman, I’d suggest placing your trust in his power.
Allen is currently ranked at 14th in a UK heavyweight chart topped by Daniel Dubois. He’s a lowly 79th in the world, with Oleksandr Usyk sitting at the top of the pile. Victory on Saturday in Sheffield won’t lift the Doncaster favourite to pole position.
Still, it will drastically improve his UK and global rankings, opening the door for some money-spinning bouts this year or next. Win, and Allen will transform his career and his fortunes overnight. Lose and he’ll likely face the real possibility of retiring from the sport he loves.
Stats:
- Age: 33 years old
- Height: 6’3″
- Weight: Heavyweight
- Record: 24-7-2
Lion has lost half of his last four
Arslanbek ‘Lion’ Makhmudov travels from his training base in Montreal, Canada, to England with a pro CV detailing 20 wins against two defeats. What’s perhaps most interesting about the 36-year-old is that he has settled all but one of his wins by stoppage, but suffered both defeats inside the distance.
He’s an all-action sort who comes to fight and will win through power and aggression or go out on his sword. That could also be said of the man starting in the opposite corner, meaning we have a mouth-watering main event.
Despite losing just two of a 22-fight career that began with a first-round stoppage in Toronto back in the winter of 2017, each of those defeats have come in his previous four outings. He was stopped in four rounds by Agit Kabayel in Saudi Arabia on the undercard of Dmitrii Bivol vs Lydon Arthur.
He then halted Miljan Rovcanin in the second round. Another surprise loss followed when Lion was shocked inside eight rounds by Guido Vianello in Quebec, and was last seen beating Ricardo Brown before the end of the opening round in the same city.
Stats:
- Age: 36 years old
- Height: 6’5″
- Weight: Heavyweight
- Record: 20-2-0
Allen vs Makhmudov betting tips
With the scene set for Saturday’s shootout at the Sheffield Arena, I’ll now cover my Allen vs Makhmudov betting tips and predictions. I’ve settled on three picks with a range of odds and markets, ensuring there’s something for everyone, including those seeking a nice price.
Under 8.5 rounds
Our first bet is for Saturday’s main event to end inside 8.5 rounds. With this approach, the winning fighter isn’t important, as a KO win for Allen pays the same as another stoppage for Makhmudov. As long as the clash finishes inside the distance and before the midway point of round number eight, you’ll land the profits.
Follow our pick and you can sit back and enjoy watching the war, encouraged every time either fighter lands a big shot or has their opponent in trouble.
Back the fight to go under 8.5 rounds at 8/15 with bet365
Makhmudov to win
When the Allen vs Makhmudov fight was first announced, it was clear the Englishman was taking a massive gamble. The Russian has lost two of his previous four, but that only makes him more dangerous. He’s a gladiator with concussive power in both hands, and the fact he’s 36 years old means he must get a move on if he’s to realise his dreams.
When betting on Arslanbek, you’re on a fighter who is dangerous from the opening bell to the last punch landed. Having your stake on the favourite means you’re always in the contest. I expected his price to be much shorter than it is, making him an easy bet.
Bet on Makhmudov to win at 5/6 with Betfred
Makhmudov KO/TKO
Our third and final bet follows our second pick, backing Makhmudov to win and get the job done without the need for the scoring judges. Following the stats and targeting the method of victory market, we’re supporting the Russian to win by knockout or stoppage. That would’ve been a winning bet in five of his previous seven bouts, a run stretching back to a ten-round points win over Carlos Takam three years ago.
Sticking with the stats, we note Allen has been stopped four times already, including in six rounds against Frazier Clarke, and ten when sharing a ring with David Price, who has since retired. Allen will come to fight and win, but that bravery will cause him to take chances and walk onto big shots. It looks like a case of when Makhmudov lands clean, rather than if, and his numbers show what happens when he connects.
Tip Makhmudov KO/TKO at 6/5 with bet365
How to watch Dave Allen vs Arslanbek Makhmudov
- Location: Sheffield Arena, Sheffield, England.
- Date and time: Saturday, 11th October 2025.
- How to watch: Live on DAZN.
Dave Allen vs Arslanbek Makhmudov full card
- Dave Allen vs Arslanbek Makhmudov – heavyweight
- Josh Padley vs Reece Bellotti – super featherweight
- Junaid Bostan vs Bilal Fawaz – super welterweight
- Hamza Uddin vs Paul Roberts – flyweight
- Ibraheem Sulaimaan vs James Chereji – super featherweight
- Conner Tudsbury vs Khalid Graidia – light heavyweight
- Joe Howarth vs Kane Baker – lightweight
- Joe Hayden vs Angelo Dragone – welterweight
Find the best bookies to bet on boxing:
About the author
Frank Monkhouse
Frank is a former professional boxer at the renowned TKO Gym in London who has transitioned his career into sports betting writing. He has worked with some of the leading names in the industry, including world-renowned bookmakers and ambitious affiliates. A student of the formbook, he leans heavily on the stats and trends to help find readers the value.
Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to talkSPORT. 18+. T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chase their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
- Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
- GambleAware – www.gambleaware.org
Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.