Tom Aspinall’s new link-up with Eddie Hearn has fueled fresh discussion about a future move into boxing. If that switch ever happens, Dave Allen could be the kind of opponent standing between the UFC heavyweight champion and a far bigger fight with Anthony Joshua.
The Salford-born fighter was unveiled as the first signing of Hearn’s new Matchroom Talent Agency at Battersea Power Station in London, a move that ties one of MMA’s biggest British names to one of boxing’s most prominent promoters.
Aspinall made clear during the announcement that the deal is about more than visibility.
“I needed a more powerful voice in my corner to grow commercially inside and outside the Octagon,” Aspinall said.
He added, “I am delighted to be working with Matchroom Talent Agency. I hope other MMA fighters look at this and see the money I’m going to make, to be a trailblazer for them.”
Hearn was equally clear about how highly he rates Aspinall’s position in combat sports.
“Tom Aspinall needs to be recognised for the revenue he drives,” said Hearn.
“Tom is the elite of the elite. The baddest man on the planet in MMA. The Undisputed Heavyweight Champion — and we are thrilled to be in his corner as the first of many marquee signings for our new Matchroom Talent Agency.”
Dave Allen Route
As previously reported by World Boxing News, Hearn’s involvement has already opened debate over whether Aspinall could eventually test himself in boxing once his UFC contract runs down.
Aspinall has not hidden the size of that challenge. In a previous interview with talkSPORT, he admitted Anthony Joshua would likely “bash him” if they fought right now.
That honesty only adds to the logic of a measured route into the sport if Aspinall ever decides to make the move. At 32, time remains on his side, and any crossover would not need to begin with the biggest name available.
That is where someone like Dave Allen enters the discussion.
Allen reacted when the Hearn-Aspinall announcement was made, posting on social media: “Just seen some announcement on the internet, still the main man aren’t I?”
The comment was clearly tongue-in-cheek, but Allen would make sense as an early test for Aspinall in boxing.
He is experienced, recognizable to British fight fans, and credible enough to show whether Aspinall’s punching power and toughness could translate in the ring before any talk of a major Joshua payday became serious.
Anthony Joshua Link
Aspinall’s alignment with Hearn naturally strengthens the Joshua conversation because the former unified heavyweight champion remains Matchroom’s biggest boxing name.
If Aspinall ever reaches the point where a crossover bout becomes realistic, Joshua would stand out as the obvious long-term target.
But before that kind of event could be taken seriously, Aspinall would likely need to prove he belongs in a boxing ring against a legitimate heavyweight opponent.
For that reason, Allen feels less like a joke reaction and more like a plausible first step.
Any move remains hypothetical for now, and Aspinall still has business to handle in the UFC. But with Hearn now in his corner, the conversation has shifted beyond a loose fantasy.
If boxing does become part of Aspinall’s future, Allen may be the name that comes up before Joshua.
About the Author
Phil Jay is the Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a veteran boxing reporter with 15+ years of experience. He has interviewed world champions, broken international exclusives, and reported ringside since 2010. Read full bio.
