Exclusive: Dave Allen Inspired by Brendan Ingle to Build Champions Both Inside and Outside the Ring

Dave Allen, the new WBA Intercontinental heavyweight champion, aims to honour the memory of the late Brendan Ingle by using his gym to produce world class people as well as talented boxers.

Despite enjoying a renaissance inside the ring, securing an eye-catching victory over Johnny Fisher this month, Allen is also looking to build a career on the other side of the ropes by training a burgeoning stable of young fighters.

One of those - Joe Hayden - is already making waves at domestic level, having stretched his unbeaten record to 18 by beating fellow Doncaster hopeful Lewis Booth on last weekend’s GBM card in the city.

But, reflecting upon his time under the tutelage of legendary trainer Brendan Ingle, Allen revealed why he is as proud of the welterweight’s conduct surrounding bouts as he is during them.

“Effectively, I’m a product of Brendan,” Allen insisted, speaking exclusively to SportsBoom.com. 

“I was one of the last people to come through under him before he started taking things a little easier and what a man he was."

“He developed me as a boxer, no doubt about it. He taught me so much."

“But, I tell you what, he did something much more important than that. Brendan turned me into a man."

“That’s something I’ll always remember and something I’ll always be grateful for."

“It’s something I’m trying to do myself now. Why? Because that time under Brendan made me realise how important that side of the sport is.”

HOUSEHOLD NAME

Ingle became a household name during the Nineties, when he was responsible for guiding Naseem Hamed to the pinnacle of the sport before the pair went their separate ways. 

But Ingle, who was awarded an MBE before passing away in 2018, had already made a huge impact - not only on boxing but socially too.

Kell Brook, Johnny Nelson, Junior Witter were the other world champions to emerge from his inconsequential looking gym in Wincobank, Sheffield. 

Although 15 British and six European belts are also among the list of prizes claimed by Ingle’s former students, the Dublin-born guru was equally famed for his community work and ability to harness previously wayward youngsters into good citizens.

“I’ve got some good lads in my gym,” Allen continued. “Joe [Hayden] is one of those."

“I’ve got plenty of lads who aren’t world beaters as well. But that’s not the important thing. What is important is the fact they are all good people who want to try and go as far as they can."

"They want to be good people too and that’s what this business can do for you. It’s like no other in that regard."

“That’s something Brendan was always huge on."

“I’m just trying to help people out and make a small difference where I can.”

UNBLEMISHED RECORD

Hayden, aged 25, preserved his unblemished record by securing a deserved points decision over Booth at Doncaster Rovers’ Football Club. Terri Harper and Maxi Hughes also featured on the bill which was televised live on DAZN.

With Allen preparing for his clash with Fisher at Jamie Moore’s base in Greater Manchester, Hayden also based himself in Walkden ahead of the bout against Booth.

“Joe, for me, can definitely go on and win a British title,” said Allen. 

“I definitely think that’s something he’s got to home in on because he’s got the ability."

“Most importantly, he’s a nice kid and that’s how boxing should be. He doesn’t trash talk and he shows respect for his opponents beforehand and afterwards."

“For me, that’s something which seems to be going out of fashion a bit because people are trying to sell fights."

“But it shouldn’t, because our sport is all about being disciplined and being a good person.”