BRITISH boxer Dave Allen has made the shock decision to hang up his gloves.
The Doncaster brawler last fought in February and has stated that he ‘doesn’t want to get punched anymore’.
Last month, the 28-year-old’s planned fight with Christian Hammer was postponed due to the Romanian testing positive for coronavirus.
American fighter Christopher Lovejoy was eyed for the event, on the undercard of Oleksandr Usyk’s win over Dereck Chisora.
But a contract issue meant the fight was cancelled at the last minute.
And, on Sunday, Allen announced his decision to retire from boxing.
He wrote on Instagram: “Hello everyone, I hoped I would never have to write this message, never mind at 28 with my last fight being when I was 27 years old.
“But I made the decision a few nights ago with my sister that I would no longer from that moment on be a professional fighter, boxing has given me a life I could never of dreamed of.
“I had never been out of Doncaster but for school trips till I started boxing and it’s taken me round the world from New York City to working men’s club all around the UK, as well as seeing the world.
“It has taken me from the kid brought up in a council house with yellow doors wearing Umbro to a man who still wears Umbro but owns a few houses and who has given myself a chance to give my future kids a life I could only have dreamed of.
“On top of and more importantly I have made the greatest friends, some of them being my childhood heroes, the list of thanks would be far to long but I hope everyone knows who they are and know they are appreciated.
“Lastly the reason for me calling it a day is simple, I don’t want to get punched anymore.
“Long gone are the days of the kid from Donny who just wants to fight, all I want now is a nice quiet life with a wife and some kids, healthy and happy getting nice and fat.”
Allen went unbeaten in his first ten professional fights before defeats to Dillian Whyte and Luis Ortiz.
A Commonwealth fight with Lenroy Thomas in 2017 saw him suffer a third loss but a string of victories, including over New Zealander Lucas Browne, elevated him back up the rankings.
David Price inflicted the White Rhino a painful defeat in July 2019.
Allen was taken to hospital after the ten-round defeat and even hinted at retirement.
Earlier this year, he bounced back to cruise past journeyman Darch in what would be his final fight.
