Following a successful debut, Haidon “Ippo” Allen is getting back in the ring for his second professional fight, and this time, he’s going up a weight class to do it.
Not much has changed since Allen got his first professional win. Allen took a few weeks off after his victory over Robert Jimenez on Apr. 20. After some time off to recover, Allen hopped right back into training camp with his coach, Victor Morales.
Now, Allen is coming out of six weeks of intensive training as he gets ready for his second fight. Though his coach wanted to get him back in the ring as soon as possible, finding an opponent was a challenge. It wasn’t until recently he finally was able to line up some competition.
“It’s kind of hard because I just got an opponent three days ago,” Allen told the Chronicle & Chief on June 20. “I had four people pull out because of my last fight and my accolades. This time, this guy, he just fought for a belt, and he’s going to be tough. Once I beat him, I’m hoping I’m next in line for a title at the end of this year.”
Allen’s opponent will be Elroy Fruto of Canada, who he will fight on June 29 at the Medford Armory for the Arena Wars Pro LHW Title event.
Fruto is more experienced than Allen, having five professional fights under his belt to this point. When asked why so many of his other opponents dropped out, Allen said that in the Northwest, not many people want to risk losing if they haven’t lost yet. Allen calls this “losing your 0,” referring to the 0 losses someone would have on their record.
Experience isn’t the only area that Fruto has a leg up, though; in order to secure an opponent, Allen has decided to go up a weight class for this fight. Allen’s normal fighting weight class is 126 pounds, and for this fight, he will be fighting at a weight of 132 pounds. Though it might not sound like a lot, it’s a significant jump in boxing.
“I couldn’t find an opponent at my weight, so my coach and I decided we would look into opponents that would accept. I had to go up a couple of pounds,” Allen said. “I’m actually going up a weight and taking a risk because that’s what life’s about. I believe in my abilities, and I want to make it, and I have to take chances. I can’t let time slip.”
Fruto is also a few years older than Allen. One of the biggest shifts for Allen since finding out his opponent has been changing his preparation. Allen has been eating more protein to get his weight up for the fight, but he’s also preparing for Fruto’s fighting style.
Allen described Fruto as a “warrior” who won’t stop and will fight aggressively. Being pushed to the limit is something Allen is expecting in this fight. Defense will be imperative during the fight because, in a heavier weight class, the hits are only going to be harder.
“With Coach V (Victor Morales), he’s had a strategy with me, teaching me what I need to do in the ring when I go against him,” Allen said. “He’s taller than me, and he has a big body, but he’s a little slower so I’ve just got to be smart, which I’m excited for.”
Going into the fight, Allen doesn’t have the same nerves he did for his pro debut, but having that first fight in hand, he’s ready to apply the lessons he learned from his first go-round in the ring.
This time, Allen is focusing on being more aggressive. Though he landed many of the first punches in his first fight, Allen wants to press the advantage and put more combos on his opponent to use the speed advantage he’ll have against a heavier opponent.
“I been studying my fight. I was calm, I was collected and stayed patient, but there was times where I could have let my hands go. I’m good at landing the first punch, but now I need to follow up,” Allen said. “This guy’s going to push me to another level, because he’s not going to stop. He’s going to come forward and put his foot on the gas.”
Being more active and aware in the ring has been a focus of Allen’s training, and he hopes to use that when he takes Fruto on June 29.
Though the upcoming fight is Allen’s primary focus at the moment, he expressed how much the community’s support meant after his professional win. Allen said that people around St. Helens have really embraced him since moving back.
“It’s just cool that I can connect with people and get to know them again,” Allen said. “I’m loving it, and I’m glad that I moved back home and made this move. I feel like it’s a great way to start my career.”
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