Since that night, he dropped a decision to Arslanbek Makhmudov over 12 rounds at a packed Sheffield Arena in October before despatching Karim Berredjem in Nottingham inside a minute three months later.

But on Saturday night, 12 months on from that brutal fifth round knockout of Fisher at Copper Box Arena, London, Allen (25-8-2, 20 KOs) will take centre stage outdoors at Doncaster’s Eco-Power Stadium in a 10-round clash with Filip Hrgovic, live on DAZN.

Allen, 34, grew up in Conisbrough, Yorkshire, around six miles southwest of the stadium, which hosts Doncaster Rovers Football Club as well as Doncaster Rugby League Football Club.

He has joked in the build up that bringing The Ring’s No.5-rated Hrgovic (19-1, 14 KOs) in for a match is like Donny Rovers hosting Bayern Munich. As if to highlight the gulf in class, Queensberry Promotions has called this event: “Dave v Goliath.”

Although the difference might not be quite so stark, the point is that home favorite Allen has no problem admitting he is the rank outsider against the 6ft 6in puncher from Zagreb, Croatia.

But should he upset the odds and score the biggest victory in the history of his South Yorkshire city, Allen would take a huge stride towards an unlikely shot at a world title.

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Dave Allen said: “This is all thanks to Johnny Fisher really. I’m very grateful for him because without him I’d probably be retired working whatever job I could get. I’ve actually only won two of my last four fights which is mad. But this is the best I’ve ever trained and I’m in good shape, fit and ready. I’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain and I’m going to tell Filip that if he doesn’t beat me, he’s done, he’s finished.”

Filip Hrgovic said: “I’m getting extra strong. I’m destroying this guy on Saturday, I’m ruining your party, man. I predict a big knockout. The plan is to ruin the party, sorry for that but that’s my job. I’m really looking forward to this fight, not going to take him lightly. I know he’s a brave, durable guy and he’s coming to fight. I’ll do my job.”

At 6/1 (+600), Dave Allen is the underdog but not quite as long as League One side Doncaster Rovers would be against six-time European Cup champions Bayern Munich. Big favorite Hrgovic is priced mainly around 1/10 (-1000), although some places have him as wide as 1/14 (-1400). The draw is 25/1 (+2500). 

The only 12-round fight on this deep bill, which features a number of Dave Allen-managed prospects, is the British and (vacant) Commonwealth lightweight title clash between defending champion Louie O’Doherty and Ahmed Hatim. This will be O’Doherty’s first defense of the title he won via 10th-round knockout of Regan Glackin in October. Hatim meanwhile, is fighting to become the first Sudan-born winner of the Lord Lonsdale belt.

Location Eco-Power Stadium, Doncaster How can I watch it?

The whole show will be streamed live on DAZN from 7pm GMT.