Thomas Carty’s manager, Mike Ofo, has openly demanded that David Allen be disqualified after what Ofo described as a "blatant" foul that effectively ended their bout in a dramatic fashion. The incident occurred during the undercard of Katie Taylor’s farewell match at Croke Park on Saturday, when Carty was knocked out of the ring after receiving a blow to the back of his head in the opening round. The fight was ruled a "no contest" because Carty could not continue, but Ofo argues that the rules of boxing dictate a disqualification for Allen, given the illegal nature of the strike.
In an interview with Sky Sports, Ofo expressed his disappointment, saying, "I am very disappointed about what happened on Saturday night at Croke Park and the untimely halt to what should have been the crowning achievement of Thomas' career so far." According to Ofo, Carty was thrilled to be part of such a historic event, performing in front of a massive crowd at Ireland’s premier sporting venue. The Irish boxer, he said, was "gutted" by the unexpected turn of events that saw him sent through the ropes after a series of punches from Allen. Ofo insisted that the sequence of blows was clear to everyone watching: Allen first landed a punch that prompted a harsh jab from Carty, which left a visible mark on Allen’s face.
In rapid retaliation, Allen delivered a second, illegal rabbit punch to the back of Carty’s head, a move that forced Carty to tumble out of the ring. "The second, illegal rabbit punch to the back of Thomas' head knocked him clean through the ropes and there is only one outcome under the rules of boxing in those circumstances – a DQ loss for Allen," Ofo said.
Allen attempted to justify his actions on his personal YouTube channel. He claimed that he had moved in close, landed a left hook to the body, and then, after a flurry of exchanges, unintentionally struck Carty’s head.
"I think, then he threw a combination, knocked my head back with an uppercut. But then he grabbed me frantically.
I'm not aiming for the back of anyone's head ever, but I am aiming about here [the ear]," Allen explained. He insisted the punch was meant to clip around the ear, a technique he says he uses regularly, but Carty’s head turned at the moment of impact, causing the blow to land on the back of his skull. Allen continued, "From there on, I don't know.
It's not for me to say what's happened. He's a good guy, I do like him...
I've caught him behind the head, not on purpose; he's turned into, and he's gone through the ropes. At the time, I said to the referee, 'Are you not going to count?' If that was in the middle of the ring, I'd have won by stoppage." Ofo dismissed Allen’s narrative as an attempt to rewrite the story, labeling it "gaslighting." He maintained that Carty would have secured a stoppage victory in the later rounds had the bout continued, especially given Allen’s deteriorating condition as the fight progressed.
"I see he is already busy trying to set a narrative but that is gaslighting and Thomas and the team were all confident that he would have stopped Allen in the later rounds, particularly in light of the terrible shape Allen turned up in," Ofo asserted. The controversy adds another layer to Carty’s recent career challenges. After suffering a freak knee injury that resulted in his only professional loss last year, the 30‑year‑old is eager to rebound and notch his twelfth win in a potential rematch with Allen. Ofo hinted that the Boxing Union of Ireland (BUI) should revisit the referee’s decision, stating, "Once the BUI have reconsidered the referee's decision and done the right thing, we will happily give Allen a rematch and they can settle it once and for all – hopefully inside the ring this time!" In a light‑hearted jab, Ofo suggested that Allen’s nickname, "The White Rhino," be swapped for "The White Hippo," implying that the latter might better reflect the boxer’s performance on the night.
Allen, for his part, declined to comment further on Ofo’s statements, leaving the dispute unresolved as fans and officials await an official ruling. The incident has sparked a broader conversation about fighter safety, the enforcement of illegal blows, and the procedures for handling no‑contest outcomes in high‑profile events. If the BUI decides to overturn the result or impose a sanction on Allen, it could set a precedent for future bouts where illegal strikes lead to immediate stoppages.
As of now, the boxing community watches closely, anticipating a decision that could either vindicate Carty’s camp or uphold the original no‑contest ruling.