Dave Allen delivered a brutal knockout, potentially a contender for knockout of the year, to definitively end his rivalry with Johnny Fisher.
The 33-year-old from Doncaster had lost to the 26-year-old Romford native via a disputed decision in their previous fight in Saudi Arabia last December.
However, this time at Stratford`s Copper Box, Allen took the outcome out of the judges` hands, flooring Fisher with a spectacular left hook in the fifth round. The courageous history graduate required oxygen after the fight.
In their initial “Christmas cracker” bout, Allen was notably inactive in the opening three rounds.
For the rematch, he came out aggressively from the start, throwing powerful right hands.
Fisher opted for a boxing strategy instead of trading blows, but his defence appeared susceptible early on.
Fisher received a warning for attempting to use a noticeable elbow in the second round. Shortly after, he landed a cleaner, more effective one-two, followed by a sharp uppercut.
Despite weighing in at a significant 19 stone, Allen was troubled by an uppercut to the body in the third round but responded with hooks.
Fisher was warned again later for a low blow and a late punch after the referee called for a break. In the fourth round, he absorbed a heavy right hand.
In the final minute of the fifth round, Allen landed a superb looping right hand and continued to pressure the Essex fighter until he dropped to the canvas.
Fisher managed to get back up, looking unstable. He was close to being saved by the bell, but Allen landed another powerful shot.
This second blow caused Fisher to fall forward onto his face, prompting his trainer, Mark Tibbs, to throw in the towel.
An elated Allen, who earned the cheers of Fisher`s 7,000 home fans by the end, commented:
“I added some weight to better withstand body shots. It was a gamble, but it paid off. Now I can finally afford an en-suite bathroom for my children.
“Many people have doubted me over the years, but I prove I`m a challenging opponent at this level.
“I was confident I would succeed. I warned him from the beginning not to try and box me. I might be the fattest tough guy, or the toughest fat guy, you`ll encounter.
“Johnny Fisher is genuinely a good friend, and I meant everything I said. I won`t agree to a third fight because I like Johnny, and I don`t think it would be good for his career.
“I`m comfortable competing at my current level. I plan to be more strategic going forward and perhaps aim for a British title someday.”
