Fabio Wardley’s co-trainer Ben Davison has posted a statement on social media following criticism for not withdrawing his fighter from Saturday’s clash with Daniel Dubois. Boxing fans were stunned that the trainer did not throw in the towel when Wardley was hit by hefty shots from Dubois in the closing stages of the fight.
Davison admitted the fight could have been stopped earlier, but insisted he did not witness Wardley trip over the doctor and maintained the defending champion responded to Dubois’ attack in the 10th and 11th rounds. Dubois, 28, rose to the top twice, stopping Wardley in the 11th round, silencing critics about his own fortitude.
Wardley knocked Dubois to the ground in just 10 seconds, landing his first punch of the fight that sent shockwaves through the Co-Op Live Arena in Manchester, before hitting the deck again in the third round. Nevertheless, he rallied and left Wardley’s face bruised and bloody, unleashing a devastating right hand in the 11th as Howard Foster intervened by waving away the fight.
Some fans were surprised that Davison would allow his fighter to stay in the ring for so long, with it likely that Dubois was ready to deliver a powerful punch that could have changed his life.
Davison has previously won praise for his impeccable timing when throwing in the towel, which helped Tyson Fury get back on his feet and knock out Deontay Wilder on a historic night, while also keeping Leigh Wood in the ring during his triumph over Michael Conlan.
In a statement posted on his Instagram, Davison said: “Last night, first of all, congratulations to Dubois. Two incredible fighters in a newfangled classic. We are very proud of Fabio. I actually agree that the fight could have been stopped earlier. I didn’t see Fabio stumble before he went to the doctor at the beginning of round 10.”
“Ironically, we talked to each other about having the towel in hand.” After this time, he went to the doctor and his legs seemed to be much more stable, which we observed. It’s an extremely hard task to not only find your balance, but also strike your attacker at just the right moment to stop such a fight on a whim as your fighter reacts and returns fire.
“I was praised for not toweling Fury (Wilder). I was praised for not toweling Wood (Conlan). I was first criticized and then praised for not toweling Wood (Lara). We looked at it twice, but on one occasion the end of the round came, two Fabios took shots and killed Dubois’ momentum. Again, it was very hard considering the fact that the fighter quickly he reacted and responded.
“I’ve seen mixed opinions on this, but I agree it COULD have been ended sooner. But with that being said, I think Howard Foster did an excellent job on his terms.
“It’s very uncomplicated to forget what Fabio has achieved. From four white-collar fights to becoming world heavyweight champion. It’s not an uncomplicated task for us or for us to lend a hand lead against the best in the world. It’s never been done before and it’ll never be done again.”
Jaron Ennis is the bookmakers’ main favorite to defeat Xander Zayas in their highly anticipated world title clash on Saturday in Brooklyn.
Ennis challenges Zayas for the WBO and WBA super welterweight belts at the Barclays Center live on DAZN pay-per-view.
The undefeated resident of Philadelphia enters the game as the favorite on February 11 Bet365 give the 23-year-old his first professional defeat and become world champion in two weight categories.
“Boots” has stopped 31 of his 35 opponents, including Uisma Lima in his 154-pound debut in October, and is expected to stop the Puerto Rican on 20/21.
The 28-year-old last covered this distance in 2024, and a decision victory is valued at 13/2.
Zayas and Ennis face to face before the clash. Photo: Matchroom Boxing
Even though Zayas has taken over as unified champion, he is an underdog Bet365 at 15/04.
Man from San Juan defeated Abass Baraou by split decision will add the WBA belt to his WBO crown in January and his best chance of victory is rated at 13/2 by decision, while success in the shock break is rated at 14/1.
Jaron Ennis knocked out Uisma Lima in the first round in Philadelphia. Photo: Emma Brawley/Matchroom Boxing
Full Bet365 odds
The result of the fight
Xander Zayas will win the fight: 15/4
Xander Zayas by KO/TKO/DQ: 14/1
Xander Zayas by decision or technical decision: 13/2
Jaron Ennis will win the fight: 11/02
Jaron Ennis by KO/TKO/DQ: 20/21
Jaron Ennis by decision or technical: 8/5
Draw or technical draw: 14/1
Round bets
Xander Zayas
Win in round 1: 100/1
Win in round 2: 100/1
Win in round 3: 100/1
Win in round 4: 100/1
Win in round 5: 100/1
To win in round 6: 100/1
To win in round 7: 80/1
To win in round 8: 80/1
To win round 9: 66/1
To win in round 10: 66/1
To win round 11: 66/1
To win in round 12: 80/1
To win by decision or technical decision: 6/1
Zayas won by points decision over Abass Baraou. Source: Mikey Williams / top position
Jaron Ennis
To win round 1: 80/1
Win in round 2: 50/1
Win in round 3: 40/1
To win in round 4: 28/1
To win in round 5: 20/1
To win in round 6: 16/1
Win in round 7: 12/12
To win in round 8: 1/11
To win in round 9: 10/1
To win in round 10: 10/1
To win in round 11: 10/1
To win in round 12: 1/11
Win by Decision or Technical Decision: 7/4
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On Wednesday, Lewis Crocker heads to Australia to defend his IBF welterweight world title against Liam Paro for the first time.
Crocker will face Paro at the Pat Rafter Arena in Queensland, live on DAZN in the UK and Kayo Sports in Australia.
Crocker (22-0, 11 KO) became world champion in September, defeating Paddy Donovan twice before winning the rematch by split decision.
Man from Belfast recorded his second victory over Donovan after the first victory in March last year, and his rival was disqualified for hitting him after the bell.
Paro (27-1, 16 KO) is trying to become a world champion in two weight categories, having previously reigned in the super-lightweight division.
In September, Donovan was beaten a second time by Crocker. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
The 30-year-old won the title with a unanimous decision victory over Subriel Matias in Puerto Rico before winning the belt in his first defense against Richardson Hitchins.
The Australian has since won twice, overtaking David Papot in his last appearance in September.
Paro looks like a two-time IBF champion. Photo: Melina Pizano/Matchroom
McKean meets Taliva
Heavyweight Demsey McKean will look to continue his rebuild when he faces Liam Talivaa for the vacant IBF Pan Pacific title.
McKean (24-2, 16 KO) had his career cut miniature after a last-round loss to Filip Hrgovic, followed by a brutal first-round loss to Moses Itauma.
The 35-year-old southpaw returned to winning ways with back-to-back stoppage victories.
Talivaa (8-2, 4 KO) last won the IBF Oceania-Orient title, defeating Faiga Opelu by first-round stoppage.
Undercard remaining
At cruiserweight, Luke Modini (13-0, 11 KO) will likely need distance to beat Peng Qu (17-2-1, 12 KO), while Riley Candy (8-1, 5 KO) could stop Nathan Watson (11-3, 3 KO) at super middleweight.
Vegas Larfield (13-1, 9 KO) can hand Shamal Ram Anuj (11-8, 8 KO) his fourth defeat in a row in a featherweight clash.
Heavyweight Nelson Asofa-Solomon (2-0, 2 KO) can secure a third straight knockout over debutant George Burgess, and Stevan Ivic (8-0-1, 2 KO) can do the same against Caleb Tialu (3-7, 3 KO), also a heavyweight.
Prospective super welterweight fighter Jack Javed (1-0) should overtake Lance McDonald (1-5-1, 1 KO).
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