Dave Allen and Lenroy Thomas clash heads

Dave Allen looks dejected after his bout against Lenroy Thomas is stopped due to a cut above his eye during their Commonwealth Heavyweight Championship fight at the FlyDSA Arena, Sheffield. Pic: Richard Sellers/PA Wire

The newly-nicknamed ‘Doncaster De La Hoya,’ suffered a wide cut across his right eyebrow in the opening round against Jamaican Lenroy ‘TNT’ Thomas.

Allen had previously been warned by promoter Eddie Hearn that he had to impress and win this title. He had been outpointed by the same opponent last May, at Bramall Lane,

And the fighter looked devastated when the referee, on medical advice, drew the Sheffield Arena fight to a close.

Conisbrough’s Allen must now wait to see how well the clearly-deep wound heals - it looks in a bad place.

Fight fans at the Arena booed -and Allen continued to shake his head.

Thomas, who had been sparring with Deontay Wilder, said he was “very frustrated” and said he would take the fight again, if the price was right.

He said he had won the first couple of minutes, and was disappointed it had been over in such circumstances.

Promoter Eddie Hearn said he was devastated for Allen.

Dave Allen and Lenroy Thomas clash heads - technical draw