Fabio Wardley has suggested that trainer Ben Davison's previous work with both Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury could provide Joshua with valuable tactical insights heading into their heavyweight clash scheduled for December 11 at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
Davison, who has trained both fighters at different points in their careers, will be stationed in Joshua's corner for the long-awaited showdown. Joshua reunited with Davison after previously parting ways following his September 2024 knockout loss to Daniel Dubois, marking a significant decision ahead of the heavyweight super-fight.
Wardley, the former WBO heavyweight champion who also trains under Davison, recognises the strategic value of this arrangement.
Your trainer, irrespective of working with people previously is a huge factor going into the fight. There will be some inside knowledge, however applicable that is and however it's used in the fight, maybe, maybe not. It always depends on the fighter you have in front of you. You play to their strengths, not to the opponent's weaknesses.
Speaking to Sky Sports News, Wardley explained his perspective on how Davison's dual experience could influence the bout.
Fury has publicly branded Davison a "traitor" for accepting the role in Joshua's corner, but former world champion George Groves rejected that characterisation during his own Sky Sports appearance.
Of course he's not. He's worked with almost all the heavyweights and I'd imagine Fury left Davison rather than the other way round. It's just more banter, not that the fight needs it.
Groves emphasised that Davison's extensive experience across the heavyweight division makes his involvement a natural progression rather than a betrayal.
Joshua's recent preparation has been unconventional. He spent time working with Oleksandr Usyk's training team before deciding to bring Davison back into his corner for fight night. Groves believes this choice demonstrates sound tactical thinking.
When they're in the corner and he needs some advice maybe Ben Davison giving it to him feels a little bit more familiar than it does from, say, an Usyk Team or an American rent-a-coach or one of those guys. You can find more established, on paper better coaches than Ben Davison but sometimes if crisis hits you want to have a familiar voice so that's why Ben Davison gets the call. It's probably the right move.
Groves highlighted the psychological comfort of having a trusted, familiar voice during moments of crisis within the ring.
Championship status confirmed for Cardiff showdown
Frank Warren has confirmed that the WBA will sanction the Fury-Joshua bout for its "super" heavyweight title, adding a championship belt to the December contest. However, the BBC reports that champion Murat Gassiev's team has objected to the prospect of another WBA heavyweight champion being crowned, creating potential complications around the title arrangement.
Wardley expressed his view on whether the heavyweight showdown merits world title status.
It is a fight worthy of a world title. Where were they in the rankings, do they perfectly deserve it - that's more a question maybe for the WBA. Does them two coming together deserve a world title on the line? It probably does. Does it add an extra incentive, an extra bauble for either one of them and for us as a public to speak about it and say if they win they're going to win a world title? And then does that mean they then carry on and start to taking on the likes of myself or Filip Hrgovic or Agit Kabayel or who knows?
The WBO champion acknowledged the broader implications of the title being contested in Cardiff, suggesting it could reshape the heavyweight landscape depending on the outcome.
Wardley's path to heavyweight contention
Wardley has the opportunity to position himself as a future challenger to the winner. He faces Daniel Dubois in a WBO heavyweight title rematch on Saturday at The O2 in London, with victory potentially opening doors to a showdown against either Fury or Joshua.
According to ESPN, a 2021 meeting between Fury and Joshua would have been for the undisputed heavyweight championship, highlighting how long this matchup has been anticipated. The December 11 bout finally brings together two of Britain's heavyweight elite after years of failed negotiations.
Wardley's rematch with Dubois follows the champion's 11th-round stoppage victory in May, and success at The O2 would position the former champion as a legitimate contender for whoever emerges victorious from the Cardiff showdown.
