Philly’s Damon “No Smilin” Allen, Jr.,Remains Unbeaten
By: Ken Hissner
The great grandson of legendary Philly trainer Mitch Allen is Philly’s “No Smilin” Damon Allen, 12-0-1 (5), remained unbeaten on June 30th at Fantasy Springs Casino, Indio, CA, winning a split decision over veteran Gamaliel “El Clatano” Diaz, 40-17-3 (19), of MEX.
Allen is trained by his father Damon “Big Dame” Allen, Sr. and out of his great grandfather’s Mitch Allen Gym at the Recreation Center at 57th& Haverford in West Philadelphia. ”My great grandfather taught me everything. I feel my style is old school,” said Allen.
When Allen was a senior at Communications Technology High, he won the boy’s 15-16 open division in the 125-pound class at the Ringside World Championships in Kansas City, Mo., for the second year in a row. He was then trained by his 81 year old (now 87?) great-grandfather Mitch Allen. He also won Gold in the 15-16 division at the Junior Golden Gloves Nationals.
“Bernard Hopkins, Matthew Saad Muhammad, “Sugar” Ray Leonard and David Reid were my favorite Philly boxers growing up,” said Allen. In 2006 he was at Northern Michigan University for two years along with Jesse Hart with both trained by Philly’s Al Mitchell and that was the last time he saw David Reid.
“In Camden, NJ, working with some bad kids it means a lot giving back. I know firsthand being my parents adopted my little cousin whose mother was on drugs and has been boxing since he was 8 and won the Silver Gloves at 9,” said Allen.
“My cousin lives in L.A. and is a limo driver who was talking to Mike Tyson about me and had him call me talking boxing. It really propelled me to win my next fight,” said Allen.
After a brilliant amateur career the 24 year old lightweight now with Golden Boy Promotions is in his sixth straight fight since fighting in his home city of Philadelphia in his fourth bout in California in his last six fights.
“I always found it so befitting that he was signed by Golden Boy Promotions, because he truly is the ‘Golden Boy’ of our city – Philadelphia. Damon “No Smilin” Allen or “Baby Dame” to those who are close to him – is a special fighter, and there’s really no way to describe him. I’ve known Dame for many years, trained alongside him, sparred countless rounds with him and learned so much from him. As a kid he was considered a phenom, but now as a man he has really taken his game to a whole another level, and a world title will soon be in his possession. Damon Allen is a great fighter, anyone who witnesses him fight can attest to that. However, his friends and family know that he’s a great person also, and I can attest to that,” said Naim Nelson (former PA lightweight champion).
Allen’s otherwise unblemished record was held to a draw in October of 2016 against veteran Luis Areceo, 28-15-4. In viewing this bout on www.youtube.com it was a close fight and I though 5-3 Allen. His career started back in April of 2013.
Allen turned professional in April of 2013 stopping Joseph Ahaamid at Harrah’s Philadelphia, in Chester, PA. He would follow up with a pair of decision wins at the Valley Forge Casino, in Valley Forge, PA. In September he defeated Tony Walker, 5-2-1, at Bally’s in Atlantic City.
In 2014 Allen won a pair of fights at the PA Metal Sheet Workers Hall in Philadelphia. Then a contract dispute caused him not to fight for fifteen months returning to the ring in 2015 with a pair of wins in Philadelphia and his debut in L.A.
In 2016 Allen defeated Daniel Perales, 9-4-1, in DC and Daniel Montoya, 10-3, in Hollywood. In October came his draw with Arceo in L.A. In 2017 he stopped Adam Mate, 24-10, at the Turning Stone Resort in Verona, NY.