Wardley: Davison’s Fury Experience Could Provide Joshua with Strategic Edge

Fabio Wardley believes former trainer Ben Davison may offer valuable insights to Anthony Joshua ahead of his highly anticipated bout against Tyson Fury. Davison has previously worked with both fighters, and will be in Joshua’s corner when the heavyweights clash at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on December 11.

Wardley, the ex-WBO champion who collaborates with Davison, understands Joshua’s rationale for bringing him back.

“A fighter’s trainer—no matter their prior relationships—carries significant weight in preparing for this type of matchup,” Wardley stated during his conversation with Sky Sports News.

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“There could be insider knowledge involved,” Wardley explained, emphasizing that its practical application depends entirely on the specific opponent. “You strategize to capitalize on your own strengths rather than solely targeting your opponent’s weaknesses.”

Fury labeled Davison a “traitor” for switching allegiances, but former world champion George Groves dismissed the characterization as mere verbal sparring. “He’s worked with virtually every major heavyweight—it’s likely Fury parted ways with him rather than the reverse. This kind of banter doesn’t reflect the real stakes of the fight,” Groves told Sky Sports.

Joshua previously trained with Oleksandr Usyk’s camp before reuniting with Davison for fight week, a choice Groves supports. “When facing a familiar coach in critical moments, that sense of trust often proves invaluable,” Groves noted. “While Ben Davison may not top every official ranking, experience and familiarity frequently trump theoretical advantages during high-pressure situations. In my opinion, bringing him back was the right call.”

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“When Davison provides guidance from the corner, it likely feels more instinctive to Joshua than advice from an unfamiliar team or outsider,” Groves added. “Even if other coaches appear more accomplished on paper, crisis situations often call for trusted voices. That’s precisely why bringing Davison back made strategic sense.”

Should Fury-AJ Be a World Title Fight?

Wardley aims to reclaim the WBO heavyweight title in his rematch with Daniel Dubois this Saturday. The Fury vs. Joshua encounter will feature a WBA ‘super’ championship, with Wardley expressing hope to challenge either fighter if he defeats Dubois at The O2.

“These two deserve a world title bout,” Wardley remarked regarding the Fury-Joshua matchup. “Whether they fully merit it in the rankings—entirely possible—is ultimately a question for the WBA to determine. If they emerge victorious, they’ll have the opportunity to face fighters like me or [Filip] Hrgovic, [Agit] Kabayel, or whoever stands next in line.”

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