Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Johnny Fisher narrowly preserved his unbeaten record with a razor-thin split decision victory over seasoned veteran Dave Allen on Saturday night in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The bout, featured on the undercard of the highly anticipated Usyk vs. Fury rematch, delivered far more drama than most had anticipated.

Heading into the fight, Fisher was widely viewed as the clear expected winner. The 25-year-old rising star had built a reputation for power and aggression, and the bookmakers reflected that confidence. From the opening bell, Fisher came out with trademark ferocity, targeting Allen’s body and head with heavy shots that echoed through the Kingdom Arena.

However, the narrative took a sharp turn in the fifth round. Allen, ever the gritty and durable competitor, weathered the early onslaught and began to impose his experience. Midway through the round, Allen unleashed a relentless barrage of punches that sent Fisher crashing to the canvas—the first knockdown of Fisher’s professional career. It was a moment that sent shockwaves through the arena and had the crowd on its feet.

Fisher managed to survive the fifth round, but the damage was evident. His pace slowed, and Allen began to grow in confidence, controlling large portions of the second half of the fight. The veteran worked behind his jab, landed sharp counters, and forced Fisher into uncomfortable territory.

As the final bell rang, both fighters looked uncertain of the outcome. When the scorecards were announced, two judges awarded Fisher the fight by the narrowest of margins, scoring it 95-94, while the third judge had it 96-93 for Allen. The decision was met with audible gasps and visible confusion from sections of the crowd.

Allen, though gracious in defeat, was clearly frustrated by the verdict. “I thought I did enough, especially after that knockdown. But it is what it is,” Allen said post-fight. “I’m proud of my performance. I gave everything I had.”

Fisher, on the other hand, looked relieved rather than triumphant. “Dave Allen is as tough as they come. He caught me with a great shot, and I had to dig deep,” Fisher admitted. “This was a massive learning experience for me, and I’ll go back to the gym, work harder, and come back stronger.”

For Fisher, this bout was supposed to be a showcase—a statement victory to solidify his status as one of Britain’s brightest heavyweight prospects. Instead, it exposed vulnerabilities and highlighted areas of concern. While he escaped with the win, the manner of victory suggests he is far from the finished article.

For Allen, the performance was a reminder of his resilience and grit. Despite being counted out by many observers beforehand, he pushed Fisher to the brink and came agonizingly close to pulling off a major upset.