ROTHERHAM, England — Marc Ramsay refused to give a definitive prediction when asked during Thursday's presser, instead insisting that Arslanbek Makhmudov is well-prepared for all situations in Saturday's heavyweight headliner.

Makhmudov (20-2, 19 KOs) was the scary knockout puncher motivating Dave Allen to cut no corners during an exhausting training camp, aware that an even bigger prize awaits this weekend's victor from Sheffield's Utilita Arena.

Allen (24-7-2, 19 KOs) tipped the scales six pounds lighter than his knockout of the year contender against Johnny Fisher during their May rematch, while Makhmudov four pounds more trim after icing then-unbeaten Ricardo Brown in a round on June 28.

"Every fight, sparring, training session, we try to learn to be a better boxer everyday. He's a real pro and had an amazing training camp, no excuses, he's ready to win and give the people of Sheffield a great show on Saturday night," Ramsay told Matchroom's Jamie Moore

After all, he has alternated wins and losses in his past four appearances.

Many critics talk with renewed optimism about Allen's chances of an upset win when discussing Agit Kabayel's damaging body work in December 2023, or Guido Vianello tagging him often and making his left eye swell shut en route to an eighth-round TKO loss last summer.

While the Russian-born Canadian, 36, has spoken about a possible Anthony Joshua matchup between former amateur standouts with shared opponents from their days in the unpaid ranks, Ramsay knows Allen won't be a pushover —

especially at home.

"He's very tough, maybe not the best in terms of ability but what he has to deliver, he always will. He never has any excuses and I respect those fighters. He's a real pro," Ramsay told The Ring.

Making this fight made sense for both sides.

"It was just an offer from Matchroom after our last fight, the right moment for Arslanbek and it's a win-win situation for Allen, too, as he wanted to step up and face adversity," Ramsay said. "Makhmudov wants to be back on the big stage, so it was a no-brainer to accept."

Ramsay has a busy stable packed full of fighters who either have upcoming dates like Erik Bazinyan and Jhon Orobio or recently fought, like WBC interim super middleweight champion Christian Mbilli. He won't allow himself to think beyond this weekend.

"Arslanbek is a real pro, through it all, the wins and losses, he's always come back to the gym wanting to learn and improve. There's no magic thinking, we work on everything with a professional approach and he's great to work with."