Dave Allen reveals who pays the most for sparring
Speaking to TalkSport, WBA International heavyweight champion Dave “The White Rhino” Allen (24-7-2, 19 KOs) revealed who pays the most for sparring sessions.
The 33-year-old has been a pro for over 12 years now, and in that time he has sparred some of this generation’s best world champions, including Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.
“The most I earned in sparring was with Wladimir Klitschko,” revealed Allen.
“I lied about my height, I lied about my weight, and I lied about my fitness levels to get into that camp.
“I wasn’t there for long, but he was a lovely fella. Klitschko would have 10 sparring partners, he was the ultimate professional.
“I was earning £1500 a week, and everyone was on the same money.
“He was spending nearly £100,000 on sparring partners.
“He was the ultimate professional. We sparred hard, there were no prisoners taken.
“But for that money, I didn’t complain.
“Usyk also paid very well, £2000 for two weeks.”
But it’s not always a strict business arrangement between sparring partners, it can sometimes be a favour between friends.
“I didn’t get paid to spar AJ because I was sparring him when we were both amateurs,” Allen added.
“I also sparred him during his first three years as a pro, and I probably should have been paid then, but we were kind of mates.
“Tyson [Fury] used to slip me a few quid, but he was always really nice to me, we were friends.
“I would always do the initial few rounds, he would ease his way in, and then he would go and beat some poor fella up after me.
“I sparred ahead of his comeback fights with Seferi and Pianetta at Ricky Hatton’s gym.
“There was a KFC around the corner, and he gave me money for fuel, a oner [£100] for sparring and an extra £20, which I would go around the corner to get some KFC with.”
Wladimir Klitschko: £1,500 per week
Oleksandr Usyk: £1,000 per week
Tyson Fury: £120 per session
Anthony Joshua: £0
Allen is all too familiar with this harsh reality, having briefly hung up his gloves in 2020 after being knocked out on his feet by Usyk in his gym in Ukraine.
Recalling the scenes, he said at the time, “To be honest, when I sparred Usyk, he knocked me unconscious.
“I never went over, I finished the round. But I can remember him hitting me.
“The rest of the round – next thing I knew I was stood outside the ring, packing my bag.
“I was concussed, so that was the last straw.
“I’m not an idiot, so I know when it’s time to finish.
“Yeah, a lot of money could’ve been made, but at what cost? Being embarrassed?
“Being hurt is one thing, but being embarrassed is another.”
During his career, Allen has fought the likes of Dillian Whyte Luis Ortiz,, Tony Yoka, Nick Webb, Lucas Browne, David Price Frazer Clarke, and most recently Johnny Fisher.
