Ben Davison, the co-trainer of Fabio Wardley, has addressed criticisms on social media regarding his decision not to end the fight against Daniel Dubois. Fans were surprised that Davison did not intervene as Wardley faced a relentless attack from Dubois towards the end of the match.
Acknowledging that the fight could have been stopped earlier, Davison explained that he did not witness Wardley struggling before seeking medical attention and observed Wardley responding to Dubois’ aggressive assault in the 10th and 11th rounds. Dubois, aged 28, demonstrated resilience by recovering from two knockdowns to defeat Wardley in the 11th round.
Despite Wardley initially knocking Dubois down within 10 seconds of the fight, the tables turned, with Dubois ultimately dominating and forcing the referee, Howard Foster, to stop the match. Fans expressed shock at Davison’s decision to keep Wardley in the ring for an extended period, risking significant harm.
Critics voiced their concerns, with one fan mentioning that Davison should have acted earlier to protect Wardley’s career. Another fan criticized Davison for not throwing in the towel sooner, potentially impacting Wardley’s future in boxing.
In response to the backlash, Davison defended his actions, highlighting previous instances where his timing in ending fights had been commended. He emphasized the challenging task of determining the right moment to stop a match, especially when the fighter remains responsive and fighting back.
Davison shared a statement on his Instagram page, congratulating Dubois on the victory and expressing pride in Wardley’s performance. He admitted that the fight could have been halted sooner but commended the referee for making the right decision based on the circumstances.
Reflecting on Wardley’s journey from amateur fights to becoming a heavyweight champion, Davison underscored the difficulty of guiding a boxer against top competitors. He concluded by emphasizing Wardley’s remarkable achievements and the unique challenges they faced in the boxing world.
