The Ring’s No. 5-rated heavyweight made a fast start at Doncaster’s Eco-power Stadium, only a few miles from where Allen grew up in Conisbrough, and forced a corner stoppage with 23 seconds left in the third round.

This Queensberry event had been titled "Dave v Goliath" but there would be no biblical underdog victory here. Instead, it was a sobering beating for one of British boxing’s most loved characters as the Yorkshire rain fell heavily.

After ruthlessly drawing a line through Allen’s fairytale, Hrgovic said: “Sorry guys, I know I’m not the favorite guy here but that’s boxing. Thank you to Dave Allen and his team. I’m really happy for this win. I’m moving forward to become world heavyweight champion.

“I started fast because I was connecting and he was very open from the start. I wanted to finish him fast to make a statement.”

After the fight, promoter George Warren, son of Frank, confirmed that Hrgovic is now in the running to face Moses Itauma on August 8 and said he will be working on that fight as soon as he returns to the Queensberry office on Monday morning.

Hrgovic said: “I want to fight anyone in the division, Moses or anyone, I want to sit down with my manager and team. If I’m healthy then it’s no problem for me.”

Allen had made his rain-soaked ring-walk to "My Way" by Frank Sinatra. There could not have been a more fitting soundtrack for the entrance of this unique heavyweight attraction.

Although there was only a few ounces in weight separating them, the towering Hrgovic clearly enjoyed significant height and reach advantages over the home favourite. And he started to make good use of them from the off, dominating the first round behind his ramrod jab.

Allen attempted a couple of his trademark overhand rights but both clearly missed. Instead it as Hrgovic who was finding the target with the backhand and he ended the round by pinning Allen against the ropes and unloading.

The "White Rhino" had suggested that this fight against Hrgovic was the equivalent of Doncaster Rovers, the third-tier club who play their home games at this stadium, facing Bayern Munich. As the Croatian continued to apply educated pressure in the second, it was easy to see why. But Allen, who went the distance in his defeat to Arslanbek Makhmudov in October, is one of the toughest and most durable heavyweights on the circuit and stayed on his feet despite one-way traffic.

The third started in much the same fashion and Hrgovic decided to put his foot down and increase his output even more. Allen spent most of the round with his back on the ropes absorbing hurtful punches from both of Hrgovic’s hands.

You got the feeling that Allen would have stayed there all night without budging but trainer Jamie Moore had no intention of watching his man sustain unnecessary damage and referee Steve Gray accepted the towel.

Allen initially remonstrated with his corner at their decision but, a few minutes later, his stance softened. “First of all, Jamie is like my big brother. I love him to death. I told them I’ll never go anywhere else. If they say enough is enough, then enough is enough.”

On the defeat, a smiling Allen said: “I’m not the best fighter in the world. I’m a good fighter but I’m not great. These people have given me the career of a world champion. No excuses, I tried my heart out but Filip Hrgovic is too good for me.”

When asked what could be next for him, Allen said: “Maybe I can win the British heavyweight title but I’m not sure I can hang with Richard Riakporhe to be honest.”