Thomas Carty was hit with an unmistakably illegal blow by David Allen, an action that, in the eyes of Carty’s manager Mike Ofo, should have resulted in Allen’s immediate disqualification after the strange conclusion to their bout. The incident unfolded during the undercard of Katie Taylor’s farewell match at Croke Park on Saturday, where Carty was knocked out of the ring after receiving a strike to the back of his head in the opening round. The fight was ultimately ruled a "no contest" because Carty could not continue, but Ofo argues that Allen ought to have been penalised under boxing regulations for delivering an unlawful punch. In an interview with Sky Sports, Ofo expressed his frustration: "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.
Thomas was thrilled to be fighting on such a historic stage in front of a massive crowd at the home of Irish sport, and he was devastated by the bizarre turn of events." According to Ofo, the sequence of events was crystal clear. He claimed that Allen fouled Carty twice in rapid succession after Carty landed a hard jab that left a visible mark on Allen’s face. "The second, illegal rabbit punch to the back of Thomas' head sent him clean through the ropes, and under boxing rules the only appropriate outcome in that situation is a disqualification loss for Allen," Ofo asserted. Allen later attempted to explain the controversial punch on his YouTube channel.
He said he had moved in close, landed a left hook to the body, and then a follow‑up that he described as a "clip" aimed at the ear area. He claimed Carty turned his head at the last moment, causing the punch to land on the back of the head instead of the intended target. "I’m not aiming for the back of anyone's head ever, but I am aiming about here [the ear]. It wasn’t a big shot; I tried to clip him round the ear as I always do, and he turned his head into it.
It went round the back of the head," Allen explained. He added that he was unsure what happened next and that he believed he would have won by stoppage if the referee had allowed the fight to continue.
Ofo dismissed Allen’s version of events, maintaining confidence that Carty would have secured a stoppage victory had the bout not been prematurely halted. He pointed out that Carty had already suffered a single defeat the previous year, a loss caused by an unusual knee injury, and was now looking to notch his twelfth professional win in a potential rematch with Allen.
"I see he is already busy trying to set a narrative, but that is gaslighting," Ofo said. "Thomas and the team were convinced he would have stopped Allen in the later rounds, especially given the poor condition Allen was in. Frankly, he should change his nickname from 'The White Rhino' to 'The White Hippo.'" Ofo also called on the British Boxing Board of Control (BUI) to review the referee’s decision.
He suggested that if the governing body overturns the no‑contest ruling and imposes the appropriate sanction on Allen, his camp would be open to arranging a rematch. "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!" he concluded. Allen declined to comment further on Ofo’s statements, leaving the controversy unresolved.
The incident has sparked a broader discussion within the boxing community about the enforcement of illegal blows, the role of referees in fast‑moving bouts, and the mechanisms for appealing decisions after a fight ends in a no‑contest. Many fans and analysts are now watching closely to see whether the BUI will intervene, potentially setting a precedent for how similar incidents are handled in the future.
The aftermath of the fight also underscores the emotional stakes for a boxer like Carty, who was on the cusp of a career‑defining night in front of a packed stadium. For a fighter who has worked his way up through the Irish ranks, the disappointment of being knocked out of the ring by an illegal strike adds a layer of frustration that goes beyond a simple loss. It raises questions about athlete safety, the importance of strict rule enforcement, and the need for clear, consistent officiating standards in high‑profile events. As the boxing world awaits the BUI’s decision, the narrative surrounding Carty and Allen continues to evolve.
Whether a rematch will be sanctioned, whether Allen will face disciplinary action, and how Carty’s career trajectory will be affected remain open questions. One thing is clear: the incident has left an indelible mark on both fighters and has ignited a conversation about fairness and accountability in the sport.