Dave Allen will face a huge step-up in competition on Oct. 11 as he takes on once-feared heavyweight Arslanbek Makhmudov at Sheffield's Utilita Arena. The fight will stream live on DAZN.

After his controversial draw with Johnny Fisher last December, Allen's previously wilderness-bound career was set alight once again and things only got better on May 17 when the Doncaster man viciously knocked Fisher out in fifth round of their Copper Box rematch.

As a result of his victory, Allen (24-7, 19 KOs) signed a multi-fight deal with Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing and a plan was put in place to land the 33-year-old a big fight.

Clashes with Deontay Wilder and Joseph Parker were discussed, as was a shot for the vacant British title against Jeamie 'TKV' Tshikeva.

Those fights weren't able to materialise, so Allen will fight Makhmudov, a 36-year-old power puncher from Russia who was unbeaten until Agit Kabayel knocked him out in the fourth round of their December 2023 encounter.

Makhmudov (20-2, 19 KOs) has also lost to Guido Vianello since then, but last fought in June, winning by first-round knockout against Ricardo Brown.

Allen said: “I’m buzzing to headline Sheffield’s Utilita Arena. It’s always been a dream of mine. I'm a big boxing fan and I’ve seen the likes of Prince Nasem Hamed, Kell Brook and Dalton Smith top the bill there over the years. So for me to have my name up there headlining at what is practically my home arena is amazing.

"Arslanbek Makhmudov - I think it really is the biggest test available. He looks the part. He’s had some very good wins and he has a high world ranking. A win over him will put me right up there on the world stage. It might be a shot to nothing. And I might go in as the underdog. But I’m up for it. It’s one last shot at the big time for me."

Matchroom and DAZN's fall slate kicks off with a card in Sunderland on Sept. 6 which is topped by hometown hero Pat McCormack, who takes on Miguel Parra.

Elsewhere on that bill, teenage sensations Leo Atang, Adam Maca and Tiah Ayton will be in action. All three of them scored stoppage wins on their debuts earlier this summer.

Cameron Vuong returns to the ring for the first time following his March 28 KO victory against Jordan Flynn, and Sandy Ryan is back as she faces Jade Garrison following her second defeat to Mikaela Mayer in the spring.

The card is rounded off by Mark Dickinson vs. Troy Williamson in a North-East derby match-up for the former's English middleweight title.

That same night, over 5,000 miles away, Eduardo 'Sugar' Nunez makes the first defence of his IBF junior lightweight title against Christopher Diaz in Los Mochis, Mexico.

The weekend after, on Sept. 13, Lewis Crocker will take on Paddy Donovan in a rematch following the controversy of their first fight. This time, the IBF title is up for grabs.

Ishmael Davis vs. Caoimhín Agyarko is on that undercard at Belfast's Windsor Park, as is Pat Brown and debutant Molly 'Meatball' McCann.

On October 17, George Liddard will take a big step-up in class as he faces Kieron Conway at York Hall with the British and Commonwealth middleweight titles up for grabs.