The Croatian heavyweight is determined to play the villain and destroy the hometown hero’s dreams when the two meet at Doncaster’s Eco Power Stadium on May 16.

It is safe to say that the man ranked at No. 4 by The Ring never expected to find himself in South Yorkshire but with heavyweight season in full swing and the division’s biggest names tied up in their own affairs, Hrgovic’s new multi-fight deal with Queensberry starts against the exceptionally popular Yorkshireman.

“To be honest, I wasn't expecting this kind of fight,” Hrgovic (19-1, 14 KOs) admitted at Tuesday’s launch press conference.

“I was calling out names like [WBO champion] Fabio Wardley, for a rematch with Daniel Dubois or to fight Agit Kabayel in Germany. I was hoping for for that kind of fight but in the end, this fight was on the table. It was a great deal offered from Queensbury and I accepted.

“If I ever become heavyweight champion, it should be with Queensbury. They have all the best fighters and they can give me great opportunities but first I must take care of Dave Allen on May 16.”

If the fight is a very high profile means to an end for 33-year-old Hrgovic, Allen (25-8-2, 20 KOs) described the fight as his “world cup final.”

Last October, it looked like the 34-year-old’s hopes of making a dent on the world scene had been ended by a 10-round loss to Arslanbek Makhmudov in Sheffiled. Just seven months later, he will headline a stadium fight just two miles from where he grew up. Around 9,000 came out to support him against the giant Russian. Around double that are expected to fill the Eco-Power stadium in six weeks' time.

The charismatic but complicated Allen realizes just how big an opportunity he has been handed but also acknowledges how tough it will be.

“I'm full of respect for Filip. I think he's a fantastic fighter, one that I'm proud to to be in competition with but I've got no fear of him,” Allen said.

“I've been boxing the best heavyweights in the world since I was a kid. Luis Ortiz, Tony Yoka, Dillian White, all on a matter of two or three weeks' notice so I've got no fear of Filip, but I’m very respectful of his ability and his ranking. No fear, but I'm aware of the task at hand.”

Allen has always been confident in his natural ability, physical strength and chin but admits that he has let himself down time and time again with his preparations and has spoken openly about struggling with self-doubt and his mental health battles.

Although he lost to Makhmudov, Allen took confidence from the fight and now believes that he has what it takes to compete at the highest level. He is, apparently, already in better condition than he was that night and has pledged his trainer, Jamie Moore, his unwavering dedication to the task at hand.

“I've never really been one to be overly confident,” he said.

“I’ve never been a big talker. I mean, I'm a big talker, but not to talk myself up but I'm very confident. There's a there's a wash of calm come over me recently.

“Filip’s got everything to lose and I've got everything to gain so I'm very, very confident in getting a result and the most confidence is is coming from the fact that I'm preparing correctly. I anticipate getting a result here.”

Hrgovic does have a lot to lose. He has been heavily linked to a significant fight with heavyweight prodigy, Moses Itauma, and holds top-10 rankings with all four governing bodies.

Having fallen short at the final hurdle against Dubois in June 2024, Hrgovic is fully aware that a loss to Allen would prove catastrophic to his hopes of winning a world title and is determined not to let that happen.

“I'm ready for anything,” he said.

“It can be a complicated fight. I think it's up to me how much I will give him a space. I must cut his wings from the first round. I must punish him, counter him and show him who's the boss so that's that's what I'm going to do.”