Thomas Carty’s camp is demanding that David Allen be disqualified following a chaotic conclusion to their bout on the undercard of Katie Taylor’s farewell match at Croke Park. According to Carty’s manager, Mike Ofo, Allen delivered an unmistakably illegal blow that should have resulted in an immediate DQ, but the fight was instead ruled a no‑contest after Carty was forced out of the ring. The incident unfolded in the opening round when Allen landed a punch to the back of Carty’s head – a move commonly referred to as a rabbit punch and prohibited under boxing regulations. The strike was so forceful that Carty was propelled through the ropes, landing on the arena floor and unable to continue.
The referee halted the contest, and officials declared the encounter a no‑contest, leaving both fighters without a definitive result. Ofo voiced his frustration to Sky Sports, describing the episode as a “bizarre turn of events” that robbed Carty of what he called the “crowning achievement of his career so far.” He emphasized that Carty had been eager to showcase his talent in front of a massive home crowd at Ireland’s premier sporting venue, and the abrupt ending was a devastating blow to the boxer’s momentum. “From the moment the first jab landed, it was clear Allen was reacting poorly,” Ofo explained. “He fouled Thomas twice in rapid succession.
The first illegal strike was a clear rabbit punch that knocked him clean through the ropes. Under the rules, that should have resulted in a disqualification for Allen.” Allen attempted to justify his actions on his personal YouTube channel, claiming the final blow was an accidental head‑butt that occurred while he was aiming for a hook to the body or a strike near the ear. He said, “I went up a bit close, caught him with a left hook to the body and rattled him a little bit to the head.
Then he threw a combination, knocked my head back with an uppercut. I didn’t intend to hit the back of his head; I was trying to clip him around the ear, but his head turned and the punch landed behind it.” He added that he had asked the referee whether a count would be taken and suggested that, had the fight continued inside the ring, he might have secured a stoppage victory.
Ofo dismissed Allen’s narrative, labeling it as an attempt to “gaslight” the situation. He asserted that, had the bout proceeded without the illegal strike, Carty would have likely stopped Allen in the later rounds, especially given the Irishman’s superior condition and Allen’s “terrible shape” on the night. Ofo also made a light‑hearted jab at Allen’s nickname, suggesting a change from “The White Rhino” to “The White Hippo” to reflect his perceived lack of agility.
The fallout from the incident adds another chapter to Carty’s recent career challenges. After suffering a freak knee injury that resulted in his first professional loss last year, the 30‑year‑old is now targeting his 12th win and hopes to secure a rematch with Allen. Ofo indicated that the British Boxing Board of Control (BUI) should revisit the referee’s decision. “If the BUI re‑examines the circumstances and does the right thing, we would be open to giving Allen a second chance – but this time we want a clean, decisive outcome inside the ring.” Allen, for his part, declined to comment further on Ofo’s statements, leaving the controversy to play out in the media and among boxing officials.
The incident has sparked debate within the Irish boxing community about referee oversight, the enforcement of illegal‑strike rules, and the appropriate penalties for such infractions. Fans and pundits alike are awaiting a formal ruling from the governing body, which could set a precedent for how similar situations are handled in future bouts. In summary, the Carty‑Allen clash ended in an unprecedented manner, with a disallowed rabbit punch sending Carty over the ropes and prompting calls for a disqualification that were ultimately ignored. The manager’s outspoken criticism, Allen’s defensive video explanation, and the pending review by the BUI all contribute to a narrative that underscores the importance of strict rule enforcement in boxing and the potential career ramifications when those rules are breached.
The boxing world now watches closely to see whether justice will be served and whether a rematch will finally settle the dispute on the canvas.