Thomas Carty’s manager, Mike Ofo, has publicly demanded that David Allen be disqualified after what Ofo described as a "blatant" foul that ended their bout in a chaotic fashion on the undercard of Katie Taylor’s farewell match at Croke Park. In the opening round, Carty was struck on the back of the head, an illegal blow that sent him tumbling over the ropes and forced the referee to halt the contest. The fight was subsequently ruled a "no contest" because Carty could not continue, but Ofo insists that the rules of boxing dictate a disqualification for Allen under those circumstances.
According to Ofo, the incident was unmistakable. He told Sky Sports, "I’m extremely disappointed by what happened on Saturday night at Croke Park.
It cut short what should have been the pinnacle of Thomas’s career to date. Thomas was thrilled to be on such a historic stage, in front of a massive crowd at the heart of Irish sport, and he was devastated by the bizarre turn of events." Ofo went on to describe the sequence of punches that led to the stoppage: "Allen fouled Thomas twice in quick succession after Thomas landed a hard jab that marked Allen’s face. The second strike, an illegal rabbit punch to the back of the head, sent Thomas clean over the ropes.
The boxing regulations leave only one possible outcome in that scenario—a disqualification loss for Allen." Allen attempted to explain his side of the story on his YouTube channel. He claimed that he had moved in close, landed a left hook to the body, and then, after a flurry from Carty, was hit with an uppercut that knocked his head back. "He grabbed me frantically," Allen said, "I never aim for the back of anyone’s head.
I was aiming near the ear, trying to clip him as I usually do, but his head turned and the punch landed on the back of his skull. From there I don’t know what happened. It’s not my place to decide. He’s a good guy, I like him… I caught him behind the head unintentionally; he turned into it and went over the ropes.
I even asked the referee if he was going to count. If we were still in the ring, I would have won by stoppage." Ofo dismissed Allen’s narrative as an attempt to rewrite the facts. He maintained that, had the fight continued, Carty would have stopped Allen in the later rounds, especially given the poor condition Allen appeared to be in. "He’s already busy trying to spin a story, but that’s pure gaslighting," Ofo said.
"Thomas and his team were confident he would have stopped Allen in the later rounds. Frankly, Allen should change his nickname from ‘The White Rhino’ to ‘The White Hippo.’" The incident adds another chapter to Carty’s recent career turbulence. After suffering a freak knee injury that handed him his only professional loss last year, the 30‑year‑old boxer was eager to bounce back and notch his 12th win.
Ofo expressed optimism that the Boxing Union of Ireland (BUI) would review the referee’s decision and take appropriate action. "If the BUI re‑examines the situation and does the right thing, we’ll be happy to give Allen a rematch so they can settle this once and for all—preferably inside the ring this time," he said. The broader boxing community has taken note of the controversy, with many commentators highlighting the importance of strict enforcement of head‑butt rules. In professional boxing, a rabbit punch—any strike to the back of the head or neck—is considered a serious violation because it can cause severe injury.
The standard sanction for an intentional rabbit punch that incapacitates an opponent is a disqualification, especially when the foul directly leads to the opponent’s inability to continue. Critics argue that the referee’s decision to declare a no‑contest rather than a DQ may set a concerning precedent, potentially encouraging fighters to gamble with illegal blows.
Allen, for his part, declined to comment further on Ofo’s accusations, leaving the dispute largely between the two camps and the governing body. The BUI has not yet issued an official statement, but the organization is expected to review video evidence and the referee’s report before making a determination.
If a disqualification is imposed, Allen’s record would reflect a loss, while Carty’s record would remain unchanged, preserving his unbeaten streak since the knee injury setback. Fans awaiting a potential rematch can anticipate a high‑stakes showdown. Both fighters have expressed a desire to settle the matter definitively.
Carty’s team believes a second bout would showcase his resilience and skill, while Allen may view the rematch as an opportunity to clear his name and prove that the original foul was accidental. The stakes are amplified by the fact that the original fight took place on a night of national significance, underscoring the pressure on both athletes to perform at their best. In summary, Mike Ofo’s call for a disqualification hinges on the clear violation of boxing rules by David Allen, who delivered an illegal rabbit punch that sent Thomas Carty over the ropes and ended the fight prematurely. While Allen offers a different perspective, suggesting the head contact was inadvertent, Ofo remains steadfast that the outcome should have been a DQ loss for Allen.
The final decision now rests with the Boxing Union of Ireland, whose ruling will not only affect the two fighters’ records but also send a message about the enforcement of safety regulations in the sport. The boxing world will be watching closely as the BUI deliberates, and many anticipate that a sanctioned rematch could finally bring closure to this dramatic episode.