The boxing world is abuzz with the recent bout between Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois, a brutal heavyweight slugfest that ended in a controversial fashion. Olympic super-heavyweight gold medallist Audley Harrison has weighed in on the matter, offering his expert opinion on the fight and the potential rematch.
Harrison believes that Wardley should have been pulled out of the fight earlier, citing his belief that the fighter had nothing left. He stated, 'It was one round too much, in my opinion. I think the fighter had nothing left. Fighters want to go out on their shield. You've got to make the right decision for what was in front of you in terms of the situation.'
The former champion also noted the technical prowess of Dubois, who started using boxing fundamentals from the fifth or sixth round and began to beat Wardley up. Harrison commented, 'Dubois started using boxing fundamentals on him from the fifth or sixth round and started beating him up. Technically I think Dubois done a great job and I think that's what separated him.'
Despite his criticism of Wardley's performance, Harrison acknowledges the rematch clause in Wardley's contract. He expects Wardley to trigger it, but also believes that the fighter needs more time to prepare for the rematch. Harrison stated, 'In the boxing world when you have a rematch clause it's very hard not to take it, that's just typically what we see. I would like Team Wardley, including Ben Davison [his trainer], to look in the mirror and say we have to go back to the drawing board and fix some of the things we need to fix so that we can be successful in the fight.'
However, Harrison also noted the financial incentives that come with rematch clauses in boxing. He said, 'That doesn't really happen in boxing. You have a rematch clause, if you don't take it now you're not going to get it in 12 months time. You're kind of forced to do it. I think the rematch is going to happen because of the way boxing is, it's very hard to say no to that money, to just have that opportunity to get him back.'
In conclusion, Harrison's commentary highlights the complexities of the boxing world, where technical prowess and financial incentives often dictate the outcome of fights and the decisions of fighters and their teams. His insights provide a deeper understanding of the sport and the challenges faced by those who compete at the highest level.
