Thomas Carty’s manager, Mike Ofo, insists that David Allen should have been disqualified after the chaotic conclusion to their bout on the undercard of Katie Taylor’s farewell match at Croke Park. According to Ofo, Allen delivered a flagrant foul that forced the fight to end prematurely, and the rules of boxing dictate a disqualification in such circumstances.
The incident unfolded in the opening round when Allen landed a hard blow to the back of Carty’s head. The strike was so forceful that Carty was sent tumbling over the ropes and could not continue.
The referee immediately called the contest a "no contest," effectively erasing any result from the record books. Ofo, however, argues that the decision ignored a clear violation of the sport’s regulations.
In an interview with Sky Sports, Ofo expressed his disappointment: "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 continued, "What happened was plain for all to see with Allen blatantly fouling him twice in quick succession in response to Thomas' punishing jab that immediately marked up Allen's face. 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." Allen attempted to justify the controversial punch on his YouTube channel.
He claimed that he had moved in close, landed a left hook to the body, and then, as Carty responded with a combination, his head was pushed back by an uppercut. Allen said, "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]. 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." He added that he was unsure what happened next, stating, "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 event, insisting that Carty would have secured a stoppage victory had the illegal blow not occurred. "I see he is already busy trying to set a narrative but that is gaslighting," Ofo said.
"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. Frankly, he should change his nickname from 'The White Rhino' to 'The White Hippo.'" 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 boxer was eager to bounce back and notch his 12th win against Allen.
The abrupt ending not only denied him a chance to showcase his resilience but also left fans and pundits speculating about what might have unfolded had the bout proceeded. Ofo called on the British Boxing Board of Control (BUI) to review the referee’s decision.
He believes that a proper review would lead to a disqualification for Allen and possibly set the stage for 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, for his part, declined to comment further on Ofo’s statements, leaving the controversy to simmer in the boxing community.
The incident has sparked debate about officiating standards, the enforcement of illegal punch rules, and the responsibilities of fighters to protect their opponents. As the BUI prepares its assessment, many anticipate that the outcome will have implications not only for Carty and Allen but also for how similar infractions are handled in future bouts. In the broader context, the episode underscores the high stakes of performing on a historic stage like Croke Park.
For a rising Irish talent such as Carty, the platform offered a chance to cement his reputation before a massive home crowd. The abrupt, contentious conclusion, however, turned what should have been a career milestone into a source of frustration and debate. Regardless of the final ruling, the incident will likely remain a talking point in Irish boxing circles for months to come. It serves as a reminder that even in the most celebrated venues, the sport’s integrity depends on strict adherence to safety regulations and swift, decisive action when those rules are breached.
The hope among Carty’s supporters is that justice will be served, that Allen will face appropriate sanctions, and that the two fighters will eventually meet again under clear, fair conditions, allowing the true outcome of their clash to be decided inside the ropes rather than through controversy.