What Fabio Wardley told his mum after brutal Dubois fight | Boxing | Sport

Fabio Wardley took a moment to reassure his mother, Shonni-leigh, at ringside that he was OK following his punishing defeat to Daniel Dubois. Referee Howard Foster brought the contest to a halt just 28 seconds into the 11th round, with the champion no longer able to protect himself.

Wardley, 31, was still on his feet at the time and had somehow not been floored by Dubois throughout the gruelling bout. Nevertheless, his right eye had swollen completely shut, severely impairing his vision, while the bridge of his nose was bleeding profusely, hampering his breathing.

Following the stoppage, Wardley sank to the canvas – though this was due to sheer exhaustion and the relief from his punishment finally coming to an end. Once back on his feet, the dethroned champion made his way over to his mother, Shonni-leigh, at ringside, and leaning over the ropes, repeatedly told her he was fine before retreating to his corner. British Boxing Board of Control doctors examined his injuries on three separate occasions during the bout, yet each time permitted the fight to press on.

The consensus is that Wardley surrendered the final several rounds after a promising start. He knocked Dubois down twice within the opening three rounds, seizing a commanding advantage with two 10-8 rounds.

However, those were arguably the only rounds Wardley claimed, as his opponent took firm control thereafter, and the champion appeared to be trailing heavily on the scorecards at the time of the stoppage. That situation led numerous onlookers to demand the fight end several rounds before referee Foster finally stepped in.

One fan told the BBC it was a “disgrace”, claiming to have “never been so uncomfortable watching a boxing match and concluding that it was “awful to watch”. Another added: “We’re used to being entertained, but that was brutal.”

One more accused Foster of “terrible refereeing,” saying that the fight “should have been stopped earlier.” Someone else agreed, saying: “That was stopped a bit late and was getting unpleasant.”

His mother, however, has never shied away from attending his bouts. Wardley told DAZN in October last year: “She has always been my biggest fan.”

“It’s a funny one, when you speak about your mum about boxing or combat sports in general, it can be very brutal. She’s never been the one to hide behind her hands, not watch or not watch what’s going on. She has always been loud at the front of the crowd, on her feet, cheering, shouting, basically trying to get in the ring herself, if she could. She’s been my biggest supporter in that sense.”