Once Wardley’s sting disappeared and he went into home run mode, he was essentially a stationary target for one of the hardest hitters in the division.
A major point of debate afterwards centered on whether Wardley’s corner should have stopped the fight earlier, especially after the British heavyweight looked badly injured and unsteady entering the later rounds.
“I actually agree”
Davison responded to the criticism on social media and admitted he believed the fight could have been stopped earlier.
“I actually agree that the fight could have been stopped earlier,” Davison said.
“I didn’t see Fabio stumble until I walked to the doctor at the start of lap 10, because ironically we were talking to each other about ‘holding the towel’.”
Davison explained that Wardley appeared steadier moments later and continued to react during the fight, making the decision more difficult in real time.
“It’s such a tough job to strike at the right time to stop a fight like that on a whim when your guy reacts and fires back,” Davison said.
The trainer compared the situation to previous fights with other boxers he has worked with, including Tyson Fury and Leigh Wood.
This is the “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 even surviving that draw with Frazer Clarke, it makes the corner hesitate. They start betting on the warrior’s heart rather than believing their own eyes.
In June 2025, Wardley was outgunned for nine rounds by Huni’s superior hand speed and technical boxing. He looked exhausted, but that 10th round knockout saved him.
Davison and the team probably had that exact moment in the back of their minds on Saturday. They waited for the Wardley moment that never came because Daniel Dubois is a much more physical, punishing force than Huni.
By the seventh round, Wardley’s nose was badly damaged and his eye was closing last Saturday night. He stopped doubling cues and started resetting constantly, which is a sign of extreme fatigue.
Again, the left hand was non-existent. Against a puncher like Dubois, if you don’t jab him to keep him off balance, you’re just waiting for the lights to go out.
“Fabio fired back”
Davison’s defense was that Wardley was still “firing back”. The problem is that “fighting back” with wild, desperate right hands is not the same as being competitive. It is a survival reflex.
Referee Howard Foster is known for giving fighters every chance (sometimes too many), and it felt like the corner and the referee were enabling each other’s hesitation.
Domestic Level vs. Global Level
The Huni fight showed Wardley can struggle with technical domestic/intermediate talent. However, Dubois is a different animal. This performance showed the gap between a guy who is a tough out at British level and a guy who has been in the ring with Usyk and Joshua.
Wardley’s reliance on power and bite on the gum shield gravel works until it meets a world-class sting and real heavy-duty power.
The reality is that those extra four rounds of punishment, 7 through 11, may have taken years off his career. Waiting for a miracle that doesn’t come is how fighters are permanently changed.
“We looked at it on two occasions, but the end of the round came, and Fabio fired back and killed Dubois’ momentum,” Davison said.
Wardley’s condition became increasingly difficult to monitor during the championship rounds as swelling and blood covered his face as Dubois continued to land heavy shots.
Davison ended up defending Howard Foster’s handling of the stoppage, although he agreed that the fight could have ended earlier.
“I think Howard Foster got it out of his terms,” Davison said.
Davison added that Wardley underwent hospital checks and stitches after the fight and is recovering from the brutal loss.
