HEAVYWEIGHT Dave Allen says he feels like a kid again after securing his anticipated rematch with Johnny Fisher.

Allen, 32, dropped a controversial split decision defeat to Fisher during their initial encounter in Riyadh on December 21 despite many observers believing he did enough to win.

As a result, 26-year-old Fisher, who was dropped in the fifth round, moved to 13-0 and it was unclear whether or not he would accept an immediate rematch.

But on Friday in London, the return was officially announced with Fisher and Allen set to meet again at an event titled ‘The Inquest’ at the Copper Box Arena on May 17.

Now 32-year-old Allen, who kicked off his professional career way back in 2012, says the Fisher saga has breathed new life into his career.

He said: “I feel like a young kid again but this time I’ve got a brain.

“I’m surprised to be headlining a show again to be honest. I couldn't believe it when I got the first one. I’m grateful to be here, probably to Johnny for giving me the opportunity for the Saudi fight in the first place.

“I told Johnny after the first fight I probably wouldn’t do it so soon. I’ve not really had a proper fight for six years but as soon as I got back in the gym after the fight I felt great.”

When asked whether he regrets not putting his foot down in a bid to find a late stoppage in the first fight, Allen smiled.

“My foot was down,” he said. “It couldn’t be any further. I was knackered. There are no excuses. I put him over in the fifth and tried to finish it and probably tried too hard really. You get excited. I was in Saudi Arabia about to knock this kid out.

“But I have no regrets, he did well to tough it out. The fella hung in there for 10 rounds and gave himself the chance to get the decision which he did. Now we will do it again, the first fight has been and gone.

“I wouldn’t say I’m excited for camp, I’m not that excited really, It’s hard work isn’t it? We will train hard for 10 weeks and I firmly believe I win the fight. I will win the fight one million per cent. I will knock him out as well.”