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Queensberry PromotionsFabio Wardley has backed his trainer Ben Davison after widespread criticism for his stablemate Moses Itauma following defeat to Filip Hrgovic.
The 21-year-old Itauma was looking to make history and become the second-youngest heavyweight titlist of all time by claiming the vacant IBF strap against Hrgovic last Saturday at London’s O2 Arena.
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Itauma was well ahead on the cards, setting a frantic pace and landing heavy blows as he focused on a stoppage victory. Hrgovic, showing his experience, weathered the storm and by the ninth round Itauma had run out of gas and was stopped.
Itauma’s trainer, Davison, has since come under fire for his fighter’s performance, much like he did for Wardley’s loss to Daniel Dubois in May.
“I’ve been overwhelmed by the amount of criticism [Davison has] received and just almost in shock of just like… I don't know another trainer in British boxing that gets so much stick after a loss,” said Wardley, who previously rubbished claims that Itauma had not been involved in 12-round spars.
“I find it bemusing, like it's delusional to me. If anything, that's added a bit of fuel to me to be like, ‘Alright, fine, no worries, I'll show you what us, the team, Ben Davison, what we can all do. I'll prove it to you. I'll take that on my shoulders. I'll wear that, no problem.’”
Wardley seemed to run out of ideas against Dubois and shipped hellacious blows before being rescued. The referee eventually stopped the fight and saved Wardley from further harm, but Davison and his corner received criticism for not pulling their man out before.
The pair will face each other again on October 17 at London’s O2 Arena, and Wardley has backed his corner ahead of the rematch.
“Like Daniel [Dubois] and Don [Charles, Dubois trainer], for example. I'm not flicking from coach to coach to coach to coach, to people who don’t know me,” Wardley said. “One, I’ve had Robert Hodgins, who’s been my coach since I started. And I mean from since I first ever put on a pair of gloves. I trust that man with my life.
“Same with Ben Davison. He's been with me for five, six, maybe, coming up to seven years. I trust that man as well. So, these aren’t new people. These aren’t fresh people that are inexperienced or don’t know me. They’ve seen me at hard spars.
“They’ve seen me through hard fights and hard moments and hard occasions. They know my durability and what I can go through and how I can come out on the other side.”