Being a sparring partner in boxing is one of the least-rewarding financial tasks, but can prove to be an invaluable part of a boxer’s career as the work done behind-the-scenes prepares stars for the biggest fights.
The blockbuster bouts that earn boxing’s superstars millions each fight wouldn’t take place without sparring partners being used in training, but the rewards for playing such an integral part are far less than their seven-figure paydays.
English boxer Dave Allen has sparred some of the best modern-day heavyweight world champions having previously been booked by the likes of Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, Oleksandr Usyk and Wladimir Klitschko.
In a tell-all revelation, Allen has now outlined just how much he has been paid for his sparring sessions against the world’s best, with some handing over big paydays and others not offering a penny.
The 32-year-old Doncaster-𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 fighter has a professional record of 31 fights, boasting 23 wins, six losses and two draws while also previously challenging for a Commonwealth title.
British heavyweight boxer Dave Allen has revealed the surprising sums paid to him for sparring some of the world’s best
The 32-year-old Doncaster-𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 fighter has a professional record of 31 fights, boasting 23 wins, six losses and two draws
Allen banked his biggest sparring payday from former world heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (right) when he banked £1200
But, it’s in training where he has gone toe-to-toe with the biggest and best opponents and explained how the largest payday once came from sparring former Ukrainian world champion Klitschko.
Revealing the varying sums he was paid for sparring, Allen claimed on his YouTube channel that he banked £1200 for five days work when helping Klitschko prepare for a fight in 2014 while only boxing part-time.
He said: ‘First of all, in terms of where we were put up it was like a mansion in the Alps, it was a beautiful, beautiful, place.
‘Probably the nicest place I’ve stayed, if not a little boring really. I was only there five days but there was no where to go or nothing to do.
‘The food we had on site on the hotel was just an unbelievable place, the food was incredible and on top of that they paid me almost €1,500 a week.
‘I was only there for five days but they paid me in full as well, they could’ve probably paid me less but they paid me the full 1,500,’ he added.
From the luxuries of Klitschko’s scenic mansion, Allen next stated how reigning heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk handed over just £840 for sparring sessions and admitted he struggled with the lack of food provided.
He managed over 20 rounds of heavy-hitting action with Usyk and survived on bread, chocolate bars and crisps to fuel his energy levels, stating: ‘That money’s good, €1,000 a week I was over the moon with.
Former heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury (right) paid Allen £300-per-week to spar
Allen received nearly £1000 for sparring Oleksandr Usyk but lived off junk food in Ukraine
‘But where we stayed it was the worst environment, I think it was the Ukraine Olympic training base.
‘I personally, it wasn’t nice. The food was poor, I was surviving on bread really.
‘I found this canteen on the second week, I was surviving on bread and chocolate bars and crisps.’
Wladimir Klitschko: £1200-per-week
Oleksandr Usyk: £800-per-week
Tyson Fury: £300-per-week
Anthony Joshua: £0
Meanwhile, Allen was paid around £300-per-week to spar Fury that he claimed covered his fuel, but holds no frustration towards the Gypsy King who he regards as a friend.
It was during Fury’s 2018 comeback that he was booked by the heavyweight’s team and admitted that he initially didn’t demand any money, adding: ‘I wasn’t expecting to get paid for it, to be honest.’
Allen revealed he was never paid by Anthony Joshua (left) when the pair sparred as amateurs
However, Allen holds some bitterness towards Joshua – who is set to fight Daniel Dubois in an all-British heavyweight clash – and explained the pair used to spar as amateurs during their formative years.
Joshua has gone on to become one of boxing’s best-paid fighters and questioned why he hasn’t received any donation from the two-time world champion since he became a global star.
‘As time went on, I started getting paid for sparring other boxers and I’m starting to question, ‘Why has he never paid me?’ said Allen.
‘I should’ve been smarter, it’s no one’s fault but my own. But yeah, I did think I deserved to get paid. It was professional boxing.’
