ANTHONY JOSHUA’S gym-mate Fabio Wardley has defended their under-fire shared trainer Ben Davison.
The Harlow coach – who brilliantly revived the career of Tyson Fury – has brought out the best in 34-year-old AJ in his last two knockout wins.
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But his form tailed off against Daniel Dubois on Saturday night, and the London 2012 veteran was demolished in five one-sided rounds.
And Davison is under fire for his cornerwork – where orders to “throw the dice” and throw uppercuts were loud and clear – which contributed to Joshua violently starching himself for the first time in his distinguished career and earning a beating from his trainer.
But Wardley – who will face Fraser Clark again on October 12 – told critics: “They can all run, all of them, they’re all idiots. It doesn’t make any sense.
“Ben has done a great job with a lot of fighters.
“One loss doesn’t make him a bad coach or a bad trainer, it’s just that he didn’t perform well that night.
“There isn’t a single trainer in Britain who hasn’t lost a fight.
“But after a loss everyone says he’s no good. But it’s volatile, everyone talks a lot of rubbish.
A fall in the first round left 34-year-old Joshua with a loss of consciousness, balance and legs.
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Without a solid base from which to land powerful punches—especially uppercuts—this seemed a dangerous plan.
Respected trainer Shane McGuigan was a ringside pundit who had heard the instructions for the fourth round and anticipated the worst that would happen just seconds later.
And Wardley admits he might have taken a different approach had he been faced with an attack so soon.
The Suffolk punter explained: “I think, my personal opinion is, that their initial strategy in the first minute didn’t work.
“Then Daniel crushed him, chased him away.
“When he’s been cut he’s constantly moving back and that gives your opponent more momentum.
“I would have said ‘Tuck your chin in, protect, get your shoulders in, and throw punches.
“Drop down and start dropping bombs, letting the opponent know you’re still there.
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“Let your opponent know you’re still there.”
The modest British champion – who started boxing in a pub – said: “I think that’s what he should have done but what do I know, he’s a two-time world champion and I’m just a small white-collar guy.”
