Thomas Carty’s camp is demanding that David Allen be disqualified after the chaotic conclusion to their bout on the undercard of Katie Taylor’s farewell fight at Croke Park. According to Carty’s manager, Mike Ofo, Allen delivered a flagrant foul that should have resulted in an immediate loss for the Irish fighter. In the opening round, Carty was struck on the back of the head, a blow that sent him careening over the ropes. The impact left him unable to continue, and the referee was forced to rule the contest a "no contest" rather than a knockout or technical stoppage.
Ofo, speaking to Sky Sports, expressed his disappointment and frustration, emphasizing that the fight should have been the pinnacle of Carty’s career to date. "Thomas was thrilled to be on such a historic stage in front of a massive crowd at the heart of Irish sport, and the abrupt ending was devastating for him," Ofo said.
He added that the illegal nature of the strike was obvious to everyone watching. "Allen fouled him twice in rapid succession after Carty’s jab landed cleanly on Allen’s face. The second blow – a rabbit punch to the back of the head – knocked Thomas clean through the ropes. Under boxing regulations, that should have resulted in a disqualification for Allen." Allen attempted to justify the incident on his YouTube channel, claiming the punch was unintentional.
He described moving in close, landing a left hook to the body, and then a head strike that he said was meant to graze the ear area. "I never aim for the back of anyone’s head," he asserted, "I was trying to clip him around the ear as I always do, but he turned his head and the shot went to the back of his skull. From there I don’t know what happened." Despite Allen’s explanation, Ofo dismissed the fighter’s narrative as a classic case of "gaslighting." He maintained that, had the bout continued, Carty would have stopped Allen in the later rounds, especially given the poor condition Allen appeared to be in that night.
Ofo also mocked Allen’s nickname, suggesting a change from "The White Rhino" to "The White Hippo" to reflect his perceived lack of agility. The incident adds another chapter to Carty’s recent career challenges.
After a solitary loss last year caused by a bizarre knee injury, the 30‑year‑old Irishman was eager to notch his twelfth professional victory. A rematch with Allen is now being discussed, with Ofo stating that once the Boxing Union of Ireland (BUI) reviews the referee’s decision, they would welcome a second encounter inside the squared circle. "If the governing body re‑examines the situation and makes the correct call, we are more than willing to give Allen a chance to redeem himself," Ofo said.
"But this time we want it settled properly – in the ring, not through controversy." Allen chose not to respond directly to Ofo’s remarks, leaving the dispute to be settled by the officials. The controversy highlights ongoing debates about fighter safety, the enforcement of illegal blows, and the role of referees in high‑profile events. It also underscores the pressure on undercard fighters who share the spotlight of major events like Katie Taylor’s farewell, where a single misstep can dramatically alter a career trajectory.
As the boxing community awaits the BUI’s verdict, many fans and commentators are calling for stricter oversight to prevent similar incidents. The consensus is clear: a punch to the back of the head is a serious violation that endangers the athlete’s health and should be met with decisive disciplinary action. Whether Allen will face a formal disqualification or simply a reprimand remains to be seen, but the incident will undoubtedly influence how future undercard bouts are monitored and regulated. In the meantime, Carty’s team remains optimistic.
They believe that a properly sanctioned rematch could provide the closure both fighters need and give Carty the opportunity to finally secure the win that was taken from him in a night that should have been a celebration of Irish boxing talent.