Fabio Wardley’s co-trainer, Ben Davison, has addressed criticisms on social media regarding his decision not to intervene during a bout against Daniel Dubois. Fans were surprised that Davison did not stop the fight as Wardley faced a barrage of punches from Dubois towards the end of the match.
Davison acknowledged that the fight could have been halted earlier but explained that he did not observe Wardley struggling before approaching the doctor and that Wardley was responding to Dubois’ attacks in the 10th and 11th rounds. Dubois, aged 28, managed to get up from the canvas twice to defeat Wardley in the 11th round, showcasing his mental resilience.
Despite Wardley initially knocking Dubois down in just 10 seconds and causing a stir at the Co-Op Live Arena in Manchester, Dubois fought back and ultimately triumphed in the 11th round when the referee, Howard Foster, stepped in to end the contest.
Critics voiced their shock at Davison’s decision to keep Wardley in the ring for an extended period, with concerns that Dubois was close to landing a significant, potentially career-altering blow.
Several fans expressed disappointment in Davison’s handling of the situation, suggesting that he should have thrown in the towel sooner to protect Wardley’s career. However, Davison has previously been commended for his timing in similar situations, such as allowing Tyson Fury to secure a victory over Deontay Wilder and Leigh Wood to prevail against Michael Conlon.
In a statement shared on his Instagram page, Davison congratulated Dubois on the win and praised both fighters for their performance in what he described as a modern-day classic battle. He admitted that the fight could have been stopped earlier but highlighted the challenge of determining the right moment to intervene when a fighter is still responsive and fighting back.
Davison emphasized the difficulty of the decision-making process in such intense situations and expressed his belief that the referee made the correct call. He also recognized Wardley’s remarkable journey from novice bouts to becoming a heavyweight champion, underscoring the challenges they faced in competing against top-tier opponents.
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