Daniel Dubois’ trainer explains why he slapped heavyweight during Fabio Wardley win

Don Charles believes his slap of Daniel Dubois in the corner had the desired effect during DDD’s win over Fabio Wardley.

Dubois put on a resilient display as he climbed off the canvas twice to beat Wardley in a brutal heavyweight classic in Manchester last weekend.

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During the fight, the 28-year-old was needing to up the ante with Wardley catching him regularly with the dynamite in his right hand.

Towards the latter stages of the fight, Dubois was pushing the pace and had opened up some bad gashes and bruising on Wardley’s face.

But cornerman Charles was demanding more workrate from ‘DDD’ as he looked to close the show.

And in between rounds, Charles made the decision to give his charge two firm slaps on the left cheek and right cheek.

It was a moment that went viral to viewers who were stunned by his methods, given Dubois was already taking some thudding blows.

Ultimately it worked, and Charles has told talkSPORT that it was to help his fighter check in mentally and focus.

He explained: “Yeah it’s not something I planned to do, it was spur of the moment.

“It was something I felt was needed, it is about being in the present when things happen in the blink of an eye.

“I needed to bring him to the present mentally, it is not pre-meditated or planned.

“On this occasion, it spurred him on and brought him to recognise the task at hand.”

Charles’ method ultimately worked and once again, the boxing world conceded he is getting the best out of the now two-time heavyweight champion.

What is next for Daniel Dubois?

Charles is clearly going to stick with Dubois now moving forward after he captured the WBO title.

Now a series of big options could present themselves including a contracted rematch with Wardley.

Moses Itauma is also a potential rival next up, given he is to be mandated for a shot at the title by the governing body.

And his father Stan believes a fight with Itauma could be the preferable target.

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He told talkSPORT: “No, I wouldn’t see the point in fighting Oleksandr Usyk again.

“I would say to Daniel, fight another British heavyweight or someone like Moses, maybe.

“But he’s not that clever with southpaws, so I wouldn’t advise him really to go in with a southpaw until he’s had maybe another southpaw fight.”

Boxing schedule

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