Allen, 34, has lost two of his last four fights and enters against a heavyweight still viewed near contender level despite Hrgovic’s eighth-round knockout loss to Daniel Dubois in 2024. The Croatian remains one of the division’s most technically solid heavyweights and is expected to be too much for Allen by most observers.

“The Hrgovic fight came about, and I just thought you know what, if I don’t get in good shape, I’ll get beat in a couple of rounds, and we don’t want that,” Allen said during the Ariel Helwani show.

Allen revealed he had come into his previous fight badly overweight before changing his preparation once the Hrgovic opportunity appeared.

“So, I’ve got into good shape and hopefully give myself the best chance,” Allen said. “And I’m a big underdog, but the least I can do is give myself a chance.”

Part of the intrigue around the fight comes from the contrast between the two heavyweights. Hrgovic has spent years operating near world-title level against contenders such as Zhilei Zhang and Demsey McKean, while Allen has built his popularity through blunt honesty, uneven results, and a willingness to take difficult fights.

The event also takes place in Allen’s hometown, adding emotion to a fight that otherwise looks risky for him on paper.

“This fight’s bigger. This fight’s bigger,” Allen said while discussing where the Hrgovic bout ranks in his career.

For Hrgovic, the fight represents another step in rebuilding his position after the loss to Dubois stalled his push toward a world title shot. For Allen, it is another chance to prove he still belongs in major heavyweight events despite the odds stacked against him.

“If I lose to Hrgovic, I’ll be back bigger and better,” Allen said. “I refuse to lose for long.”