King's Sutton kickboxer starts year with new gym and new focus

The last time we caught up with Rob 'Chippy' Allen, was in September 2018 while he was preparing to face Gaz Richards for the British Light Cruiserweight Championship to make his claim as the best fighter in the UK.

The title showdown was scheduled for November 10, however fate had other plans.

Rob said: "It was supposed to be for the RAW British Title. I was at a show two days before I went on my honeymoon and the lad (Gaz) I was supposed to be fighting tore his ACL or MCL, so I went to Mexico two days later thinking I'm not fighting.

"So I was tens day in and I'm thinking I'm just going to eat, chill, do whatever, I was still training as I like to go to the gym. I then got a message 'we found you a replacement, you are going to fight the Irish number one for the European title.'

"I came back from my honeymoon and went straight back into training. The following weekend I had a fighter out in Paris. We flew to Paris on the Saturday and I cornered her and on the way back from Paris I caught the flu.

"I was bad for like two weeks, full of snot, full of cold but I carried on training anyway, it was for a European title I cannot turn down that opportunity. I died making weight, I had to cut six and a half kilos and by the time I got into the ring I was absolutely drained.

Rob added: "By round four I'm non-responsive in the corner and my trainer is saying 'if you don't talk to me now I'm pulling you out.' I lost on points."

Rob got a rematch at in April 2019 and reversed the decision, winning on points convincingly. He then fought again in June against the WBC world and UK number one, a fight that went one way and then another.

"For the first two rounds, I'm up, I'm winning. I'm staying on the back foot scoring, kicking, then we change the game plan going into round three - now the corner want me to move forward, which I thought was a terrible idea.

"I got caught with a knee to the liver. I've never been hit with anything so painful in my entire life. Bang I'm on the floor. pins and needles down in your fingertips and proper soul destroying, I thought I was going to throw up. I could't breath, it was horrendous."

Rob didn't beat the count. Another defeat came in his next fight in September of last year against an unheralded Canadian for which Rob admits he lacked motivation. Rob was dominating until a round four spinning elbow caused his legs to 'go like Bambi' forcing the ref to bring a halt to proceedings.

Rob then took a mini break from combat to focus his attention on setting up his own gym on the Beaumont Road Industrial Estate next door to Banbury Butchers combining Rob's personal training and combat training programs into the Take Action Strength & Conditioning/ Red Diamond Academy.

Rob said: "I'm coaching full-time, personal training full-time, we've got junior fighters out now. We do all sorts, we have the junior Muay Thai, ladies only Muay Thai and a functional fitness side.

"I also work with North Oxfordshire Academy School and do an out reach program and Frank Wise come down here once a week to do boxing and stuff."

"After the fight last year in September, I wanted to take some time off mentally, all I did was lift, eat and then we were setting up this gym."

Rob's fighting ambitions, however, have a new focus as he prepares to step into the ring on March 14 at the Mercia Venue, Coventry, to face WBC English Champion,Ben Mason, for the WBC National Championship belt.

Rob said: "Towards the end of last year I'd gone on holiday with the wife and I was in New York, sat on a bed when my phone goes off. I go on Facebook and some lad in the UK rankings below me, basically decided to take it upon himself, because he's seen I had lost my last two fights, to call me out.

"So our fight on March 14 is to defend my UK number two spot for the WBC National title."

Although fully focused on the March battle, Rob, now 29, can see his fighting days coming to a end but not before he settles some unfinished business and cements his legacy in his chosen sport.

"I think I have three more years in me. I want a rematch with the Canadian because that is bugging the hell out of me. I'm in the process of signing a contract to fight on a promotion called Muay Thai Grand Prix. It's probably one of the biggest promotions in the world in the minute for Thai boxing. Its got shows all over the UK.

"Basically in the next three years I want to fight anybody above me in the WBC rankings," said Rob.

Tickets for Rob's Coventry fight can be bought by calling 02476 633383, by emailing [email protected] or by stopping off at Rob's gym at Unit 3 Mallorie House, Beaumont Rd.