Once Wardley’s jab disappeared and he went into home run mode, he was essentially unfocused on one of the hardest hitters in the division.
A major point of contention afterwards centered on whether Wardley’s corner should have stopped the fight early, especially after the British heavyweight looked badly injured and unsteady going into the later rounds.
“Actually I Agree”
Davison responded to the criticism on social media and admitted that he believed the fight could have been stopped sooner.
“Actually, I agree that the war could be stopped early,” said Davison.
“I didn’t see Fabio stumble before he went to the doctor at the beginning of the tenth round as the strange thing was that we were talking to each other that ‘we have a towel in hand.’
Davison explained that Wardley appeared to be stronger later on and continued to respond during the fight, making the decision even more difficult in real time.
“It’s a tough job to hit at the right time to stop a fight like that when your guy reacts and fires back,” Davison said.
This coach compared this situation to previous fights involving other boxers he worked with, including Tyson Fury and Leigh Wood.
It is a “miracle” trap. When a fighter like Wardley has a history of pulling a rabbit out of a hat, like he did against Justis Huni or survived that draw with Frazer Clarke, it makes the corner hesitant. They began to bet on the heart of the fighter rather than believing with their eyes.
In June 2025, Wardley was knocked out by Huni’s high hand speed and technical boxing for nine rounds. He looked wasted, but a 10th round knockout saved him.
Davison and the team may have had that moment in mind on Saturday. They were waiting for Wardley’s moment which did not come because Daniel Dubois is more physical, punishing than Huni.
By the seventh round, Wardley’s nose was badly injured and his eye was closed last Saturday night. He stopped doubling up on sources and started resetting frequently, which is a sign of extreme fatigue.
Again, the left hand was missing. When you’re facing a puncher like Dubois, if you don’t wear him out with a jab, you’re waiting for the lights out.
“Fabio Kicked Back”
Davison’s defense was that Wardley was “still shooting.” The problem is that “shooting back” with desperate, right-handed people is not the same as being competitive. It is a survival reflex.
Referee Howard Foster is known for giving players every chance (sometimes too many), and it feels like he and the referees are giving each other the benefit of the doubt.
Home Level vs. World Standard
The Battle of the Huns showed that Wardley can struggle with top quality/temporary homegrown talent. Dubois, however, is a different animal. This performance showed the gap between a tough guy at the British level and a guy who has been put in the ring with Usyk and Joshua.
Wardley’s reliance on power and biting gumshield grit works until he meets a world-class jab and real heavyweight power.
The truth is that those four extra rounds of punishment, 7 through 11, may have taken years off his career. Waiting for a miracle that never comes is how they fight to be changed forever.
“We watched it twice, but the end of the round came, Fabio shot and killed Dubois’ momentum,” said Davison.
Wardley’s condition became more difficult to watch during the contest as swelling and blood covered his face as Dubois continued to shoot hard.
Davison ended up defending the way Howard Foster handled the stop even though he admitted that the fight could have ended earlier.
“I think Howard Foster got it on his terms,” Davison said.
Davison added that Wardley was examined at the hospital and stitched up after the fight and is recovering from the brutal loss.
