Thomas Carty’s camp is demanding that David Allen be disqualified after what they describe as an outright illegal blow that ended their bout in a dramatic fashion on the undercard of Katie Taylor’s farewell match at Croke Park. According to Carty’s manager, Mike Ofo, the incident was unmistakable and should have resulted in a penalty rather than the fight being ruled a no‑contest. In the opening round, Carty was struck on the back of the head by Allen, a punch that sent the Irish fighter careening over the ropes and out of the ring. The blow was so severe that Carty could not continue, prompting officials to halt the contest and declare it a no‑contest.
Ofo, speaking to Sky Sports, expressed his disappointment and frustration, emphasizing that the incident robbed Carty of what should have been the pinnacle of his career to date. "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," Ofo said. He added that Carty had been thrilled to fight on such a historic stage in front of a massive crowd and that the abrupt, bizarre ending left him devastated. Ofo argued that the sequence of events was clear to everyone who watched.
He claimed Allen fouled Carty twice in rapid succession after Carty landed a hard jab that visibly marked Allen’s face. The second strike, according to Ofo, was a classic "rabbit punch" – an illegal blow to the back of the head – which propelled Carty through the ropes. Under boxing regulations, such a foul warrants a disqualification, Ofo asserted. "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 insisted.
Allen attempted to explain his side of the story on his YouTube channel. He said he had moved in close, landed a left hook to the body, and then a follow‑up head strike that he described as a "clip" aimed at the ear area, not the back of the head. He claimed Carty turned his head at the last moment, causing the punch to land on the back of his skull unintentionally.
Allen also suggested that, had the incident occurred in the middle of the ring, the referee might have counted Carty out and awarded him a stoppage victory. "I went up a bit close, caught him with a left hook to the body and rattled him a little bit to the 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 continued, "It wasn't a big shot; I tried to clip him round the ear as I always do, and he's turned his head into it.
It's gone round the back of the head. 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..." Ofo dismissed Allen’s narrative as an attempt to rewrite the facts.
He remains confident that, had the bout proceeded without the illegal blow, Carty would have secured a stoppage victory in the later rounds, especially given Allen’s deteriorating condition as the fight progressed. Ofo even mocked Allen’s nickname, suggesting a change from "The White Rhino" to "The White Hippo" due to the perceived lack of power. "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 said.
He called on the Boxing Union of Ireland (BUI) to review the referee’s decision and, if appropriate, overturn it. "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!" The incident adds another chapter to Carty’s recent career challenges. After suffering a freak knee injury that resulted in his sole professional loss last year, the 30‑year‑old Irishman was aiming to notch his 12th win in a rematch with Allen.
The no‑contest outcome, however, leaves his record unchanged and his momentum stalled. While Allen declined to comment directly on Ofo’s accusations, the controversy has sparked debate among fans and officials about the enforcement of foul rules in high‑profile events. Boxing regulations are explicit: a rabbit punch—any strike to the back of the head or neck—is prohibited due to the severe risk of injury.
When such a blow occurs, referees are empowered to issue warnings, deduct points, or disqualify the offending fighter, depending on the severity and intent. In this case, the referee chose to stop the fight and declare a no‑contest, a decision that many, including Ofo, view as insufficient.
The BUI now faces pressure to examine video footage, interview both camps, and determine whether a formal sanction against Allen is warranted. A disqualification would not only affect Allen’s record but could also influence future matchmaking and his standing within the Irish boxing community. Regardless of the outcome, the incident underscores the fine line between aggressive tactics and illegal conduct in the sport.
For Carty, the hope remains that a rematch will provide a clear resolution, allowing him to prove his skill without the shadow of controversy. For Allen, the episode serves as a reminder that precision and adherence to the rules are essential, especially on a stage as prominent as Croke Park. The boxing world will be watching closely as the BUI reviews the case, and both fighters are likely to prepare for a potential showdown that could finally settle the dispute once and for all.