Nick Webb fires a warning shot at Dave Allen ahead of the British title eliminator
Heavyweights Nick Webb and Dave Allen clash in British title eliminator on Dillian Whyte vs Joseph Parker undercard
Unbeaten Nick Webb (12-0), 30 from Chertsey, will meet Doncaster’s David Allen (13-4-2) at London’s O2 Arena in an eliminator for the British heavyweight title as part of the July 28 Dillian Whyte vs Joseph Parker bill, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
Despite the friendliness of the banter shared between the soon-to-be warring heavyweights, Webb has strenuously claimed that when the time comes, it’ll be strictly business.
“I’m really excited about this weekend and doing the job. It's a great opportunity for me to progress towards the British title. I’m going to break him down and finish him."
Although the pair have traded words over Twitter in the past, the atmosphere has always been good-natured and the amiability continued during the press conference.
“Everyone knows Dave and everyone loves him,” affirmed Webb. “I like him too, but this is business and I’m going to show him what I’m all about. We are competitors and I’m there to take him out.”
Webb was initially gearing up to challenge former amateur rival Joe Joyce for his Commonwealth crown until the ‘Juggernaught’ released a statement confirming that he and his trainer Ismael Salas had parted ways and was without a coach. The 32-year-old from Putney has since been linked to Gennady Golovkin’s trainer Abel Sanchez and has offered Webb the title shot in September.
Eddie Hearn was quick to switch opponents following the news to ensure the heavyweight clash went ahead to boost the card that has been beset with injuries and cancellations.
Webb was only given two weeks notice for Joyce, which he abruptly accepted, and now he has had to deal with a change in opponents last-minute.
“The fight has come out of nowhere a bit, but I’ve always wanted the fight,” said former ABA champion Webb. “We’ve always traded words over social media so it’s good to finally get him in the ring.”
Despite talking about taking time off from the sport, Allen was quick to throw his name in the hat when Webb’s dream fight with Joyce fell through.
"Eddie offered Joe Joyce to fight Nick. Then my name was mentioned in an interview if that was off, so I sent Eddie a message straight away,” the White Rhino explained.
“Who wouldn’t want to be part of another big PPV show? I’ve been involved in a few now and I couldn’t say no when I knew there was an option to fight on this card.
“Win, lose or draw this is going to be my last fight for a while. People might say that’s not the best thing to say before a big fight, but it’ll help drive that extra 10 per cent out of me. I’ve been in some good, hard fights in recent years and I think it’s time to rest up and revitalise myself.
Allen has experienced over triple the rounds as a professional than Webb and has been involved in fights with far greater opposition and will be a significant step up in levels for the Chertsey puncher.
Webb was an ABA Novices champion and Elites runner-up and raced to five first-round knockouts in his debut year as a pro in 2015. He has signed contracts to challenge for the English title against Nathan Gorman and Daniel Dubois, most recently putting pen to paper to face Joyce for the Commonwealth, so he will be desperate to put those frustrations to bed by landing a shot at the Hughie Fury’s British title next.