‘There was no losers in there’: Don Charles credits both Daniel Dubois and Fabio Wardley

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - DECEMBER 20: Daniel Dubois talks with his trainer Don Charles at 'Day of Reckoning' Media Workout at the Press Arena on December 20, 2023 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Daniel Dubois came away from his thrilling fight with Fabio Wardley with his hand raised as he once again became world champion, but his trainer Don Charles says no one really lost in that fight as far as he can see it, given the display of heart Fabio Wardley put on in a losing effort.

Charles on Dubois getting dropped early

“This is heavyweight boxing. When you got two big punchers like that, that can happen. He got up from it, the second round he boxed good, third round he went heavy again. That was definitely not the script, that’s not how it’s supposed to go from our side. But now I can say this, we stayed calm.”

On the heart Wardley showed

“Gladiators. There was no losers in there tonight. We came away as the winners, granted, but there was no losers there in my eyes. Boxing won tonight, we came away with the belt.”

On the moment where he gave Dubois a little slap between rounds

“Instinctive vibration, energy to wake up him and make him realize the task he’s got ahead. There’s still a job to be done.”

On who he wants Dubois to fight next

“I don’t want to discuss anything in that because I never get involved in that. Frank Warren, we trust our promoter. Daniel is going to get some well deserved rest and then we speak to our promoter, see what unfolds, and see what happens next.”