Doncaster

British heavyweight David Allen’s fairytale headline show ended in a unanimous points defeat to Russian heavyweight Arslanbek Makhmudov at a raucous Sheffield Arena.

Judges scored the fight 115-111, 117-109 and 116-10 in favour of Makhmudov.

The 33-year-old Allen had previously fought at the venue five times, but this was his first time as a headliner and a 9,000-strong crowd came out to support their South Yorkshire hero, who quit boxing five years ago and planned a quiet life.

He returned to the sport with titles on his mind, and for big nights like this.

“I’ve never, ever seen anything like it,” Allen said after the fight. “I nearly cried. I had to really choke it all back a bit on the ramp. I’m not finished.”

The imposing Makhmudov entered the fight with 19 knockouts from his 20 wins, and with just two defeats it made him the toughest opponent Allen has faced.

As chants of “There’s only one Dave Allen” rang around the venue, the home fighter had to bite down on his gumshield early on and take thudding blows from Makhmudov.

With the names of his children, Betty and George, etched on his shorts, Allen started to stalk Makhmudov, with a massive body shot followed by a right uppercut landing in the fifth round.

Allen sparked to life in the ninth round and connected with an overhand right, but Makhmudov showed toughness and durability.

In the 12th round, Makhmudov had a second points deduction – both were for holding. This, along with the roar of the crowd, encouraged Allen to push on and land another monstrous right hook, but it was not enough.

The ‘White Rhino’ has been here before – suffering some major setbacks during his 13 years as a professional.

Allen’s career appeared to be in tatters numerous times, but he has emerged from retirement and rebuilt over the past four years and will look to do so again.

A stoppage loss to David Price in 2019 ended with Allen being stretchered out of the ring and he gave up the sport the following year.

Allen’s attention turned to training young boxers Joe Hayden and Joe Howarth – both of whom won on Saturday’s Sheffield undercard – before confirming a return to the sport he loved at a “low level”.

After two wins via small hall shows, a loss to Olympic bronze medallist Frazer Clarke was only a minor setback as Allen was quick to accept a fight with undefeated heavyweight Johnny Fisher, without knowing this would catapult his career.

Allen was on the wrong end of a contentious loss in Saudi Arabia before knocking out Fisher in a rematch at a sold-out Copper Box Arena in May 2025.

FORMER One Direction star Louis Tomlinson was duped by fraudsters in a £4million footie plot.

The Bigger Than Me singer became the face of Doncaster Rovers in the hope he could boost the profile of his childhood team and take them to the Premier League.

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But the 33-year-old had the wool pulled over his eyes by a gang who stole millions from people’s retirement nest eggs.

Over two years £3.7million had been funnelled from hard-earned pension pots belonging more than 200 victims.

Prosecutors said the proposed Doncaster deal was used by the thugs to cover up the missing cash to cops.

As reported by the Mirror, criminal gang Kevin Phelan, Daniel Giles and Adrian Bashforth were all convicted last month and face jail time.

The trial at Leeds Crown Court heard Louis unwittingly became involved with the scammers in 2014.

At the gang’s trial, prosecutor Timothy Hannam KC said: “These defendants nicked money from people’s life savings.”

Former club chairman John Ryan enlisted Louis’ help to bolster support for Doncaster at the time.

The club was insolvent and staying afloat by Ryan’s loans and other investors.

Seqentia Captial SA tried to buy it twice, but deals fell through on both occasions.

Ryan also asked crook Phelan, 62, if he wanted to buy the club in 2013.

Louis later met with the gang at his Cheshire pad at the height of 1D’s fame in 2014.

Ryan transferred his 30 per cent shareholding to Sequentia and resigned as Doncaster chairman.

The proposed deal stated 70 per cent of Doncaster would be given to Belize-based Sequentia Capital SA if the takeover was successful.

Louis and Ryan would become the club’s public face while Sequentia would be a “silent participant”.

The One Direction singer started a fundraiser and aimed to rake in an eyewatering £6million from his fans and followers.

But the crowdfunder only raised £600,000 in the end, and £500,000 of that was from one of the fraudulent gang members.

The source of the offshore firm’s funds was “stolen pension money”, the court heard.

Phelan met Louis at his home in January 2014 and Daniel Giles texted the same day: “I’ve been interrogated for the last few hours over 1D boy. Kids want to come to the next meeting mate.

“I’m thinking 16 million brainwashed followers. Very very interesting.

“Let’s crack on now together and build a nice fighting fund.”

The deal would also see Louis take a 10 per cent stake in the club with the hopes they would reach the Premier League.

The singer would show his support at games and behind the scenes.

He met with Phelan and Giles, 51, at a One Direction concert in Dublin’ to sign the deal, however it didn’t go through due to the lack of funds raised.

Louis said at the time: “I’m gutted the Doncaster deal is not going ahead. I am desperate for the club to be given the recognition it deserves.

“I was told the deal to buy the club was not dependent on the money raised by Crowdfunding. Unfortunately I was misled.”

There is no suggestion Louis or Ryan knew about the pension fraud.

The defendants will be sentenced in January.

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AN urgent manhunt has been launched after a lag escaped from prison.

Liam Slater is reported to have absconded from HMP Hatfield in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, on Sunday – with police warning members of the public not to approach him.

The 33-year-old was last seen boarding a train to Leeds at Stainforth Station at 8.46pm.

Cops say he has links to Wetherby and Seacroft in Leeds.

They want to hear from anyone who has seen or spoken to Slater recently.

A South Yorkshire Police statement added: “If you see Slater, please do not approach him but instead call 999.

“If you have any other information about where he might be, you can contact us online or by calling 101.

“Please quote incident number 818 of 18 May 2025 when you get in touch.”

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TERRI Harper looks to continue her reign as WBO lightweight champion when she clashes Natalie Zimmermann.

Harper defends her title in her hometown of Doncaster on Friday, May 23.

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She is a multi-weight strap holder, and makes her first defence of her new title after beating Rhiannon Dixon for the title last September.

The 28-year-old puts her world title on the line at the stadium of Doncaster FC.

Her opponent, German Zimmermann, comes into the fight with a record of 12-0-0, with three wins coming by way of KO.

Harper has two losses to her name, but with a record of 15-2-2, with six wins coming by KO, she holds an experience advantage.

How to watch Terri Harper vs Natalie Zimmermann and is there a live stream?

• Terri Harper defends her WBO lightweight title against Natalie Zimmermann LIVE in the UK.
• The whole card will stream live via DAZN to over 200 countries.
• DAZN subscriptions start at £14.99 per month for an Annual Super Saver subscription, or £24.99 for a Monthly Flexible pass.

When does Terri Harper vs Natalie Zimmermann start?

• Terri Harper takes on Natalie Zimmermann on Friday, May 23.
• Coverage of the card starts at 6pm BST.
• Harper and Zimmerman are expected to make their ringwalks around 10pm BST.
• The full card will stream live from DAZN.

Full card

• Terri Harper vs Natalie Zimmermann; Lightweight, for the WBO title
• Maxi Hughes vs Archie Sharp; Lightweight
• Tysie Gallagher vs Ebonie Jones; Super bantamweight
• Reece Mould vs Lewis Sylvester; Lightweight
• Jimmy Joe Flint vs Haithem Laamouz; Super lightweight
• Stevi Levy vs Ellie Hellewell; Super bantamweight
• Joe Hayden vs Lewis Booth; Light middleweight

The likeable Allen was introduced as ‘the people’s champ’ and received a warm welcome as he entered the ring.

Fisher – thanks in large part to his social media star father ‘Big John’ and their ‘bosh’ catchphrase – is one of domestic boxing’s biggest ticket sellers.

The noise turned up a notch when he made his ring walk to Take Me Home, Country Roads by John Denver, with just a small number of empty seats at the 8,000-capacity arena, nicknamed ‘Copper Bosh’ by Team Fisher.

Allen failed to land with his telegraphed overhand rights and Fisher snapped out the jab as the contest struggled to catch fire early on.

Fisher, who knocked out Alen Babic in the first round at the same venue last year, landed stinging uppercuts in the third and was given a warning for throwing a punch after the referee called break.

With the ‘Bull Army’ in full voice, the raucous atmosphere was strikingly different to the low-key first fight in Saudi Arabia.

Allen remained patient, waiting for his opening. Just like he did five months ago, he sent Fisher to the floor in the middle of the fight with brute power and determination.

Then came a highlight reel knockout which drew gasps from those in attendance.

The pair have remained friends since first sparring several years ago and Allen kept his celebrations on hold until Fisher was back on his feet.