Thomas Carty’s camp is demanding that David Allen be disqualified after what they describe as a flagrant foul that ended their bout in a most unusual fashion. According to Carty’s manager, Mike Ofo, the Irish boxer was struck illegally on the back of the head, a blow that should have resulted in an immediate DQ under boxing regulations.
The incident occurred on the undercard of Katie Taylor’s highly‑anticipated farewell fight at Croke Park on Saturday. In the opening round, Carty was delivering a sharp jab that landed cleanly on Allen’s face. In response, Allen allegedly retaliated with two rapid fouls. The second of those blows, described by Ofo as a “rabbit punch,” landed squarely on the back of Carty’s head and sent the Irish fighter tumbling through the ropes.
The impact was so severe that Carty was unable to continue, prompting officials to declare the contest a "no contest" rather than awarding a win or loss. Ofo expressed his disappointment to Sky Sports, 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. Thomas was pumped to be fighting on such an historic event in front of such an enormous crowd at the home of Irish sport and was gutted by the bizarre turn of events." He went on to argue that the foul was obvious to everyone watching and that the correct outcome under the rules should have been a disqualification loss for Allen. In a separate interview posted on his YouTube channel, Allen attempted to explain the controversial punch.
He claimed that he had moved in close, landed a left hook to Carty’s body, and then a short‑range head shot that unintentionally brushed the ear area. "I’m not aiming for the back of anyone's head ever, but I am aiming about here [the ear]," Allen said, adding that Carty turned his head at the last moment, causing the blow to land on the back of his skull. He suggested that if the fight had taken place in the middle of the ring, the referee’s count might have resulted in a stoppage victory for him. However, Ofo dismissed Allen’s version of events, insisting that the illegal strike was clear and that Carty would have won by stoppage had the bout been allowed to continue.
The fallout from the incident has added another chapter to Carty’s recent career narrative. After suffering a freak knee injury that led to his only professional loss last year, the 30‑year‑old Irishman was eager to secure his 12th win. A rematch with Allen is already being discussed, with Ofo stating that the British Boxing Board of Control (BUI) should review the referee’s decision and correct the record.
"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 said. Ofo also took a jab at Allen’s nickname, suggesting a rebrand from "The White Rhino" to "The White Hippo," and accused the Australian fighter of attempting to spin a narrative that gaslights Carty and his team. "He is already busy trying to set a narrative but that is gaslighting," Ofo asserted, emphasizing that Carty and his camp were confident the Irish boxer would have stopped Allen in later rounds, especially given Allen’s deteriorating condition during the fight. While Allen declined to comment further on Ofo’s accusations, the controversy has reignited debate about the enforcement of illegal blows in boxing, particularly rabbit punches to the back of the head, which are strictly prohibited due to the heightened risk of serious injury.
The incident also highlights the challenges referees face in fast‑paced bouts where split‑second decisions can dramatically alter a fighter’s career trajectory. Fans and analysts alike are now watching closely to see how the governing bodies will respond.
If the BUI decides to overturn the no‑contest ruling and award a disqualification to Allen, it could set a precedent for future fights where similar fouls occur. Conversely, if the decision stands, Carty’s team may push for an official rematch, hoping to settle the dispute decisively inside the squared circle.
Regardless of the administrative outcome, the episode serves as a stark reminder of the fine line between aggressive boxing tactics and illegal conduct. For Carty, the incident is a painful setback, but his determination to return to the ring and prove his superiority over Allen remains undiminished. As the boxing community awaits the board’s verdict, the story of the Dublin drama continues to unfold, promising further intrigue and, hopefully, a clear resolution for both fighters.