Fabio Wardley’s assistant coach, Ben Davison, has taken to social media to address criticisms regarding his decision not to stop the fight to protect Wardley from a series of powerful punches by Daniel Dubois. Many boxing enthusiasts were surprised by the coach’s choice not to throw in the towel as Wardley endured a barrage of heavy blows from Dubois towards the end of the match.
Davison acknowledged that the fight could have been halted earlier but mentioned that he did not witness Wardley struggling to reach the doctor. He noted that Wardley was actively responding to Dubois’ relentless attacks in the 10th and 11th rounds. Dubois, aged 28, demonstrated resilience by overcoming two knockdowns to defeat Wardley in the 11th round, silencing doubters about his mental toughness.
Wardley managed to knock Dubois down within 10 seconds with his first punch, causing a stir at the Co-Op Live Arena in Manchester. Despite hitting the canvas again in the third round, Wardley showed resilience by recovering and ultimately leaving Dubois with a battered and bloodied face, culminating in a decisive right-hand punch in the 11th round that prompted the referee, Howard Foster, to end the fight.
Critics expressed astonishment at Davison’s decision to leave Wardley in the ring for an extended period, as it was evident that Dubois was on the brink of landing a potentially devastating blow.
In response to the backlash, Davison defended his actions by highlighting his past successes in timing towel throws, referencing instances with Tyson Fury and Leigh Wood. He admitted that while the fight could have been stopped earlier, he believed that the referee’s judgment was on point.
Davison, in a statement shared on his Instagram page, commended both fighters for their performance in what he described as a modern-day classic battle. He emphasized the challenges of finding the right moment to intervene in a fight where the competitor is responsive and fighting back.
Despite differing opinions from fans, Davison acknowledged the potential for an earlier stoppage but supported the referee’s decision. He also praised Wardley’s journey from amateur fights to becoming a heavyweight champion, emphasizing the difficulty of guiding a boxer against top competition.
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