Katie Taylor Undercard Fighter Shuts Down Rematch After Bizarre No-Contest

While Katie Taylor got the befitting farewell she deserved at Croke Park, the evening ended in disaster for fellow Irish fighter Thomas Carty. Eyeing a valiant homecoming in front of 83,000 cheering fans, the southpaw took on British heavyweight Dave Allen.  Before the timer could even reach the two-minute mark, the fight was over, giving way to a bizarre no-contest.

Two alleged “illegal” blows sent the hometown hero tumbling through the ropes, prompting the ringside doctor to intervene. Just like that, Carty's homecoming ended in heartbreaking fashion.

Now, in the aftermath of the bizarre incident, Allen has made his stance clear: he has no interest in running it back with Carty and instead wants to chase a British title before calling time on his career.

Dave Allen has No Interest in Running It Back with Thomas Carty

For all the anticipation surrounding “The Bomber’s” homecoming, Carty’s night at Croke Park ended almost as quickly as it began, as the fighter left the ring in tears. The Irish heavyweight was using his jab well in the opening exchanges and appeared to be settling into the fight when a bizarre sequence turned things sideways. 

During a clinch, Allen (27-9-2) threw a short punch that appeared to catch Carty (11-1-0) around the back of the head. Carty stumbled forward and suddenly went through the ropes, landing awkwardly outside the ring.

Ringside personnel immediately rushed to Carty's aid, with the 30-year-old receiving medical attention and oxygen before the fight was ultimately waved off. The official result came down as a no-contest after just 1:22 of action.

Two Different Accounts of Ending Sequence

Subsequently, Carty's camp felt the ending should have been much different. His team alleged that Allen had landed two illegal blows to the back of the head and argued that the second one caused Carty to lose his balance and fall through the ropes.

Allen, meanwhile, stated that the shot was not intentional, explaining that he was aiming around the ear when Carty turned into it. Yet despite their bout ending in controversy, Allen has no intentions of doing it all over again.

Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show, the 34-year-old acknowledged that Carty and his team will almost certainly push for another fight. While the Brit understands Carty wants the opportunity to erase the absurd ending and settle the score properly, he just doesn't want any part of it.

“Of course, it was unfortunate what happened. But it has happened. I’ve got a couple of fights left and that won’t be against Thomas Carty,” Allen said. He even made it clear that there is no personal animosity driving his decision.

“There will be no rematch. I’m sure they will push for it and they will want it because it's the biggest fight for him and I like the guy. But I ain’t playing.”

With his career winding down, Allen seems less interested in using one of his remaining opportunities to revisit a fight that never really got going.

Allen Has One Goal Left Before Calling Time on His Career

 Allen's reluctance to rematch Carty makes some sense when viewed through the bigger picture. For one, the British heavyweight isn't talking about a lengthy comeback or rebuilding himself over the next few years. At 34, he believes there are only a couple of fights left in the tank. And he already knows how he wants those final chapters to look.

He said, “I love the British title fight. That’s where I’d like to end on victory or defeat. So, I’ve only got a fight or two left. I want to win the British title. That’s it. That’s all that’s left for me.”

The Doncaster native has already spoken with his promoter, Eddie Hearn, and expects to fight again toward the end of the year. That said, his Croke Park appearance also left another talking point hanging over him: his physique.

Allen admitted that he looked heavy against Carty. “Yeah, I was heavy. You can see me in the ring, I look terrible, but I trained hard,” he said.

The difference, according to Allen, is that the extra weight didn't mean he had taken the fight lightly. He added, “I sparred harder than I have for years. I didn’t take Carty lightly... I spent a fortune on sparring.”

In fact, Allen believes the version of himself who turned up at Dublin was a better fighter than the one who faced Filip Hrgovic, despite looking noticeably heavier.