TRUE GRIT
The promotion was called Don’t Blink and it was correct for the heavyweight clash. 20,000 attended Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena for the heavyweight battle between Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois and it truly was one to be remembered. These two gallant warriors brought boxing back to the forefront of sports attractions.
In a fight that demanded every reserve they had, Dubois and Wardley showed tremendous heart, determination, resilience, and pride.
DDD Down in the 1st and 3rd Rounds
From my position as a former Commonwealth and European heavyweight champion, I have had some good scraps myself, and I know what it feels like to be in the heat of battle when all eyes in the boxing world are on you. The pressure can be immense.
So, in this post-fight analysis, I want to look at how the fight was won and lost, and what could possibly have been changed to make a difference.
My first point of note is the first knockdown. It could easily have been an early night for everyone. Wardley managed to land on the top of DDD’s head because both men came forward without much finesse, their intentions were clear from the outset: throw bombs.
Although it was a good punch and one that could have stopped most men, DDD looked more annoyed than hurt. The fact that he came straight back at Wardley showed he was fully coherent and mentally switched on.
Could Wardley have done more at that point? I don’t think so. It was still early in the round and Dubois was still too strong. It’s easy for spectators to say what they would have done or what Wardley should have done, but when you are in there, under the lights and under pressure, with a live young heavyweight coming at you, it’s a completely different situation.
11 Rounds of a brutal battle
As the rounds went on, DDD continued to gain momentum. He pressed forward relentlessly while Wardley continued throwing overhand right hands which missed more than he connected. The problem with that approach is, when you miss, and he missed a lot, you become depleted with energy.
At this juncture, DDD should have toned down a level and picked his shots too. He had Wardley primed for the finish, but smothering his work prevented him from landing the big “sleeper” right hand.
DDD has a good jab but he didn’t use it enough, his jab would have allowed for better openings where a one-two combination would have ended the fight a lot earlier.
Clearly, DDD came in with a destructive search and destroy mindset.
For Wardley, apart from the punch in round one and again in round three, Wardley struggled. Partly from missing with those big swinging right hands, and partly from the relentless onslaught from Daniel.
Both men can punch. I think Wardley’s cornerman Ben Davison has had a lot of praise for being a good trainer, so I expected Wardley to have put his jab to work. If he used his jab after the knock downs, the outcome could possibly have been different.
Also, on another point. The fighter’s health is paramount. Wardley was so beaten and exhausted. I don’t like to single out individuals but it would have been good if his cornerman Ben Davison should have pulled him out of the fight. A puncher like DDD is extremely powerful, with his power and Wardley’s exhaustion, the fight could have ended with Wardley being seriously hurt.
The British Boxing Board of Control must look at how they issue trainer/ seconds’ license.
Lets hope both fighters make good recovery and can continue entertaining with their strong wills and determination.
Derek ‘Sweet D’ Williams, former Commonwealth & European Heavyweight Champion