Ben Davison, Fabio Wardley’s co-trainer, has addressed criticism on social media for not throwing in the towel during the intense bout against Daniel Dubois. Fans were surprised by Davison’s decision to let Wardley continue despite facing a barrage of heavy punches from Dubois in the later rounds.
Acknowledging that the fight could have been halted earlier, Davison explained that he did not witness Wardley showing signs of distress to the doctor and emphasized Wardley’s resilience in responding to Dubois’ attacks in the 10th and 11th rounds. Dubois, aged 28, demonstrated mental fortitude by rising from the canvas twice to secure a victory over Wardley in the 11th round.
The fight saw Wardley scoring an early knockdown on Dubois within 10 seconds, causing a stir at the Co-Op Live Arena in Manchester. Despite Wardley’s early success, Dubois fought back and ultimately dominated the match, forcing the referee to intervene in the 11th round.
Critics expressed shock at Davison’s decision to keep Wardley in the ring for an extended period, with concerns raised about the potential risks Wardley faced from Dubois’ powerful blows.
In response to the backlash, Davison defended his actions, citing previous instances where his timing in throwing in the towel was praised. He highlighted the challenging nature of determining the right moment to stop a fight, especially when the fighter remains responsive and engaged in the bout.
Davison also reflected on Fabio Wardley’s remarkable journey from amateur fights to becoming a heavyweight champion, emphasizing the difficulties faced in guiding a fighter against world-class opponents. Despite the mixed opinions on the fight’s conclusion, Davison expressed agreement that the match could have been stopped earlier but commended the referee’s decision in the end.