Hopkins was rarely troubled in a disappointing bout

That clash should go ahead after de la Hoya also claimed a controversial points victory in his bout against the previously unbeaten German Felix Sturm.

Hopkins won an unspectacular bout 119-107, 119-107 and 117-109 and apologised afterwards for his cautious approach.

De la Hoya's winning margin over Sturm was 115-113 on all three judges' cards.

It was the third time Hopkins had met Allen, with one victory and one no contest in their previous clashes, and despite Allen's long unbeaten run before the bout, the result was never in much doubt.

Fans booed Hopkins towards the end of the bout as he fought cautiously to ensure he did not let the chance of the de la Hoya bout slip from his grasp, and he admitted it was not his most entertaining display.

He got the win because he is a big name Felix Sturm

"When you are in here and this much is at stake, you play it safe," he said.

"I was out of character. It won't happen again. Trust me."

De la Hoya was also critical of his own display against Sturm, with the German clearly agrieved by the outcome.

"Everything went wrong, everything," said De la Hoya. "I was disappointed in my performance."

"I trained as hard as I can. But I stepped in the ring and boom, nothing."

Sturm, who was fighting in America for the first time, had traded punches with De La Hoya and controlled large parts of the fight with his jab.

Ringside stats showed Sturm landing 234 of 541 punches to 188 of 792 for De La Hoya.

"Everyone knows I won this fight," said the 25-year-old after the decision went against him.

"I am the true champion. He got the win because he is a big name."

But the result means De La Hoya has won world titles at six different weights and is enough to set up a unification bout with Hopkins on 18 September.