Dave Allen has revealed that Derek Chisora is the hardest puncher he has ever faced.
Chisora fights for the 48th time as a professional this Saturday when he faces Joe Joyce in a crossroads heavyweight showdown at the O2 Arena, live on TNT Sports.
Allen, who has had 31 professional bouts himself, sparred the Finchley man in 2019 and despite having fought the likes of Dillian Whyte and David Price and having sparred Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury, ‘The White Rhino’ admits Chisora is the most fearsome puncher he has come across.
“Number one is Derek Chisora,” the 32-year-old said on his YouTube channel.
“Derek Chisora’s right hook is one of the most disgusting things I’ve ever felt in my life.
“His jab was pretty much non-existent. I can’t remember him throwing a left hook.
“We sparred eight rounds at Dave Coldwell’s gym in 2019 pre-Lucas Browne.
“The first two rounds [were] incredible.”
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Joyce rebounded from back-to-back defeats to Zhilei Zhang with a 10th round knockout of Kash Ali in March.
The ‘Juggernaut’ is a sizeable favourite with the bookies to overcome Chisora, 40, however Allen says he has concerns for the Putney man.
“I worry for Joyce on Saturday with Chisora’s power and how easy Joyce is to tag early.
“I saw someone point out the other day that Usyk said he was the biggest puncher he faced also.
“I had a big headguard on. I always took a good shot.
“But he didn’t hurt me. My legs were never gone.
“I was never dizzy. I was never seeing flashes, it was just a real ouch moment and it worried me.
“I just couldn’t wait for the rounds to end.
“The first two rounds with Chisora, may have been the two hardest rounds I’ve ever done in any fight, any training session.
“Just a real, real strong, heavy-handed man.”
