Sheffield v Doncaster fight will '˜steal' Kell Brook's limelight

Conisbrough’s big-hitter will bury his long-friendship with the Sheffielder on the undercard of Brook v Kevin Bizier’s IBF welterweight showdown.

“I think it will be the best fight on the night, a lot better than Kell Brook’s” said the 23-year-old.

“Two big local heavyweights, local, there are going to be more fans for me and Richard than there is for anyone else there and I am really excited about it.”

Allen’s enthusiasm for the task ahead will fuel fight-fans who long to see decent-pedigree heavyweights lock horns.

And the back-story is an interesting one too...they go way back.

“I started boxing at the Ingle gym, Richard and John Keeton took me under their wing collectively and I owe them a lot in boxing.

“We are friends now, we’ll be friends afterwards but on the night, for an opportunity that big, we’re leaving it all in the ring.”

Asked about their friendship, he replied: “It is a weird one, I still see Richard as a figure I have always looked up to.

“It is a difficult one to shake off, but when the bell goes it makes no difference.

“I’d fight my own grandma if I had to for something like this.

“Richard is 26 and I am only 23 so Richard has been at this level before.

“This is my first real try around British (eliminator) level, but it is a great opportunity, the Kell Brook undercard at Sheffield Arena is not one I can say no to.”

Allen says neither boxer will have any secrets, when they climb into the ring. “We sparred each other so many times, we know what each other is like and what we are going to bring. It makes for a great fight, there will be no feeling each other out.

“I am going in there to take his head off, and Richard is going to be doing the same.

“My game plan is always the same I come to fight. I take three or four to land one. Hopefully that one is going to do the job, but I have got to respect Richard’s power, he is a good fighter.”

Allen respects the fact that Towers has been trained by Adam Booth.

But he says: “There is nobody better than Brendan Ingle. And, anyway, Adam Booth is not going to get in the ring with him, Stefy Bull won’t be joining me. It will just be me and Richard.

“The British title was my dream when I first started boxing. I will be successful, I can promise that.”