Fabio Wardley has come to the defense of his coach, Ben Davison, following teammate Moses Itauma's disappointing attempt to become the second-youngest world heavyweight champion on Saturday. Itauma faced Filip Hrgovic at London’s O2 Arena, where he dominated the first eight rounds but ultimately succumbed to exhaustion in the ninth, leading his corner to throw in the towel.

Prior to the fight, Itauma acknowledged he had never completed 12 rounds of sparring, raising concerns about his preparation after the loss.

Wardley, who also trains with Davison, previously experienced a similar fate against Daniel Dubois, and is now set for a rematch on 17 October. Addressing the backlash against Davison, Wardley labeled the criticism as “delusional,” expressing his determination to prove the gym's capabilities.

“I do feel like it’s my turn,” Wardley stated, emphasizing his commitment to support the gym and his coach.

He remarked on the unusual amount of criticism Davison faces in British boxing, stating, “I find it bemusing… I’ll show you what us, the team, Ben Davison, what we can all do.”

Unlike Itauma, Wardley did not have a towel thrown in during his bout with Dubois, which ended in the 11th round. He praised his corner's management, asserting they are experienced and familiar with his style and capabilities.

Queensberry promoter Frank Warren also defended Davison, acknowledging the increased scrutiny that comes with high-profile fights. He indicated there would be discussions regarding fight management following Itauma’s performance, noting that a more strategic approach could have secured a victory.