Fabio Wardley's team have raised fresh concerns about Daniel Dubois' tactics in their first fight and are calling for a "stronger referee" for Saturday's rematch at London's O2 arena.
Dubois rose from the canvas twice to claim a stoppage victory in a tremendous battle with Wardley in May, winning the WBO heavyweight championship. Wardley's manager Michael Ofo said the team was disappointed with the officiating of referee Howard Foster after the first fight, and has now voiced further questions about Dubois' approach. "We don't want it to be spoiled by having the same antics that were displayed in the first fight," Ofo told Sky Sports.
Ofo pointed to a lot of leading with the head and what he called the MMA rugby tackle. He questioned why Dubois would take a knee if he was not hurt, saying taking a knee is permissible but there should be a punishment if a fighter is not hurt. "There was a lot of dirty Dan on display," he added.
Dubois' trainer Don Charles rejected the claims, saying he struggled to understand them and describing the referee as a very top, A-class official. Charles said the complaints reflected insecurity and weakness. Robert Smith, general secretary of the British Boxing Board of Control, assured that the referee would look after both fighters fairly. Ofo said Wardley was confident he could avenge his first professional loss and that the doctors had cleared him to fight only five months after the first bout.
Source: Sky Sports Champions League · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing