Two fights after being stopped inside a round by Fabio Wardley, the rebuilding of Allen’s career off the back of him defeating the unproven Johnny Fisher – his influential promoter Eddie Hearn had also speculated about targeting a fight between he and Deontay Wilder – perhaps gives the 34-year-old Clarke cause for encouragement, but he finds it “frustrating” instead.

Victory over Tshikeva, 31, at Vaillant Live in Derby, England would also earn Clarke the title that first eluded him when in March 2024 he and Wardley fought to a draw and ultimately strengthen his status in what remains the competitive-and-appealing British heavyweight scene, but having endured his prospects being questioned as a consequence of the defeat by Wardley that October, the Olympic bronze medallist believes his previous achievements have been dismissed.

Clarke continues to believe that he deserved to lift the British and Commonwealth titles following the first fight with Wardley that came six months after Allen represented his highest-profile win, and he told BoxingScene of his former opponent: “It’s encouraging, but at the same time it’s frustrating. I’ve heard talks of me retiring; I’ve heard talks of me winning the British title and calling it a day. When there was talks of Dave Allen winning that fight and going on to fight Anthony Joshua; being propelled into world-title [contention]; world top 10s and stuff like that… And now there’s talks of Makhmudov performing great and being a fantastic fighter. What he did to Dave Allen over 10 rounds, I did in six rounds. 

“That old thing’s been said. ‘He wasn’t fit when he fought you.’ Well guess what? Who’s problem’s that? It’s not my problem he’s turned up to a fight not fit, is it? If you’re a professional fighter you’re a professional fighter. ‘Oh, it’s a different Dave Allen – it’s a different Dave Allen.’ I’m not being funny – this is no shade on Dave Allen – but he didn’t win a round hardly. 

“Now there’s still talk, on the [DAZN] broadcast on the night, ‘He can still challenge whoever wins the British title; he’s got a good chance of beating them both’. As long as there’s a hole in his arse he’s not beating me, and that is as simple as that. I like him. We were speaking to each other before the [Makhmudov] fight; he’s telling me what he’s going to do and stuff. But, when it comes to fighting…”

Tshikeva challenged for the vacant British title as recently as April when he was controversially stopped in six rounds by David Adeleye. Adeleye proceeded to be matched with Filip Hrgovic, who he lost to, via decision, over 10 rounds. 

“If it’s a popularity contest, Dave Allen eclipses me,” Clarke continued. “When it comes to being popular; when it comes to being one of the boys, one of the fans, he eclipses me. 

“But guess what – this isn’t that. This is fighting. Popularity contest, 1-0 Dave Allen. Fighting, I win every time. Simple as that.”