Heavyweight boxer Fabio Wardley has launched an impassioned defence of trainer Ben Davison following heavy criticism over Moses Itauma's world title defeat.
Davison has faced severe backlash after 21-year-old Itauma subsided with exhaustion in the ninth round against Croatia's first world heavyweight champion Filip Hrgovic on Saturday night.
The defeat has left Davison fighting to keep Itauma on his fighter roster ahead of an imminent council of war with boxing promoter Frank Warren.
Wardley, who is currently preparing for an October 17 rematch against Daniel Dubois after losing his World Boxing Organization belt to him in a high-tempo contest, spoke out strongly in support of his long-term coach.
"I just can't believe so much hostility and so much stick being thrown at Ben," Wardley said. "He's been my trainer for seven years and he's brought me through from my unusual background (white collar boxing) to winning a world title."
"He doesn't become a bad trainer because Moses had his first defeat against a really tough opponent," Wardley added. "Ben has shown there's so much more to boxing at the higher levels than just my power to knock people out. Taught me so much. It wasn't his fault I lost to Daniel. I beat myself. And Ben is now adding the nuances I never knew anything about so I can adapt for the rematch and win this time."
Promoter questions fight tactical plan
Despite Wardley's endorsement, promoter Frank Warren expressed serious concerns regarding the tactical instructions given to Itauma during the title fight.
Queensberry Promotions head Warren questioned whether Davison and his corner had prepared an alternative strategy when Hrgovic absorbed early pressure without going down.
"Ben and I will have to have a chat," Warren said. "Was there a plan B for when Hrgovic simply refused to be knocked out through eight rounds of punishment? Or did Moses not listen, like footballers who go out on the pitch and don't do what the manager tells them?"
Warren stressed that the 21-year-old heavyweight had built a significant lead on points before fatiguing in the later rounds.
"Losing happens but they should have managed the fight when so many rounds ahead," Warren explained. "Moses should have stayed behind his terrific jab and boxed his way to a decision. He was too obsessed with getting another knock out. So he just kept his foot hard down on the accelerator from start to finish and punched himself out."
Rebuilding for future title contention
Itauma had entered the bout as one of Britain's most highly regarded young heavyweight contenders, while Hrgovic, a 2016 Olympic bronze medallist from Croatia, brought extensive international experience to the ring.
Although the defeat derailed Itauma's immediate championship ambitions, Warren remains confident in the young fighter's long-term potential to reach the summit of the division.
"Of course at 21 Moses can come back to be a world champion but there's work to be done," Warren noted. The unanswered question remains whether Davison will be the trainer guiding him through that recovery.
