Absurd odds: Bet £50,000 to win £100 on Dave Allen!

Betting markets have Allen listed at around -50000 and Berredjem at +2500 - in simple terms, it means you would have to bet £50,000 on Allen just to win £100 profit, while a £100 bet on Berredjem would return £2,500 if he pulled off the upset.

The odds underline just how one-sided the scheduled 10-round Matchroom contest is expected to be, with Allen seemingly certain to win.

The Conisbrough fighter has been a high-profile figure in recent fights. He stopped Johnny Fisher in the fifth round of their rematch last May after losing a controversial split decision in their first meeting, and in October he went the distance with hard-hitting Russian Arslanbek Makhmudov, losing on points over 12 rounds.

Those bouts kept Allen in the spotlight and demonstrated the level he has been operating at, even if results have been mixed against top opposition during his career.

By contrast, Berredjem arrives with a modest professional record and limited knockout power.

According to analysis from SportsBetListings, the 39-year-old Frenchman has won 12 of his 22 fights with just three knockouts and last stopped an opponent in 2016. The same source notes that only a quarter of his victories have come inside the distance and that he has fallen short in several attempts to win the French heavyweight title.

Allen, now 33, brings far more punching power to the ring, with the majority of his wins coming by stoppage and notable victories including a knockout of former world titleholder Lucas Browne in 2019, as well as the recent Fisher triumph.

SportsBetListings described the bout as appearing “a complete mismatch” and suggested the odds reflect expectations that the 'Doncaster De La Hoya' could end matters early, although it also noted that heavyweight boxing can always produce surprises.

For Allen - who says no opponent should be overlooked - the stakes are clear.

A routine victory would keep momentum going after a run of high-profile contests and maintain his position as one of Britain’s most recognisable heavyweights.

But with odds this wide, anything other than victory would send shockwaves through the division - particularly with Allen having hinted this could be his final year in the ring, meaning a defeat might bring those plans forward.

For the moment, though, Allen has his focus on the task ahead.

"The fella who I’m boxing, I’ve only seen one round of his and I think I’m just going to try and knock him out straight away" he says.

"Hopefully a first round knockout and then on to whatever is next.

"I just want to be in more good fights and make more money and enjoy it."

Factfile: Karim Berredjem v Dave Allen

Division: Heavyweight

Rounds: 10

Date: Saturday, February 21, 2026

Venue: Nottingham Arena

TV: DAZN (live)

Allen record: 24-8-2 (19 KOs)

Berredjem record: 12-10 (3 KOs)

Betting odds: Allen overwhelming favourite (-50000), Berredjem underdog (+2500)

Unusual facts: Before becoming a well-known heavyweight, Allen actually worked briefly as a supply school teacher. Berredjem has had five shots at the French heavyweight title between 2017 and 2023 but lost them all.